Queensbury Promoter, Frank Warren, has revealed his pride in Anthony Yarde’s performance against Artur Beterbiev.
The Brit gave as good a fight as any have when facing the unified light-heavyweight champion, despite being a heavy underdog going into the fight.
The Russian-Canadian managed to get the stoppage victory in the eighth round, when Yarde’s trainer, Tunde Ajayi, advised the referee to stop the contest after a knockdown.
However, until that point the bout seemed even, with Yarde ahead on two of the scorecards at the time of the stoppage and his shots clearly taking their toll on the champion.
In an interview with iFL TV, Warren revealed his joy in Yarde’s display despite the loss and his confidence that Yarde will someday win a world title.
“I was thrilled for him in some ways and obviously gutted for him in others, because you want Anthony to win. He absolutely done himself, and British boxing, proud.”
“I don’t want to see him in [many more] fights like that, but he is a young 31-year-old and I’m convinced he can do it [win a world title].
I don’t know whether he [Beterbiev] is going to fight Bivol and unify those belts, but something will happen and, in the meantime, Anthony needs a break, after a tough fight like that. Then he will come back and see how the land lies and what he and Tunde want to do.”
With Beterbiev’s international celebrity, the fight was shown globally and was particularly of interest in the United States, where the light-heavyweight knockout artist remains popular.
Therefore, Yarde’s stock has risen around the world and consequently Warren may look to capitalise, suggesting a fight with American former world champion, Joe Smith Jr.
“I’m going to speak to Bob [Arum] about it, that would be a great fight to make. That is my opinion, I am sure his [Smith’s] people and his management have got a different opinion, but that would be a great fight to make.”
Despite the efforts of Yarde, Beterbiev maintains his perfect record with nineteen fights and nineteen knockout victories.
Now, the WBC, WBO & IBF champion is eyeing up the undisputed title fight with Dmitry Bivol, but will have to get past Callum Smith first, who is due a title shot as the WBC’s mandatory challenger.