Anthony Yarde revealed he recently received some invaluable advice ahead of his world title shot against Artur Beterbiev next year, from none other than unified world champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Yarde explained to SecondsOut that he watched Tyson Fury’s win over Derek Chisora in the company of Usyk, and the Ukrainian offered him some pointers based off his experiences against Beterbiev in the amateur ranks.
“I sat next to Usyk at the Fury vs Chisora fight and he was talking to me, I was just listening. I’m so humble when it comes to learning.”
“He fought Beterbiev twice, and he was just telling me some things, just a little advice. I think that’s what it’s about, being a student and trying to learn.”
“He’s a lovely guy, he’s bubbly – but he can fight.”
Usyk faced the Russian twice as an amateur, most recently in an Olympic quarter final, so there are arguably few better placed to advise Yarde as he heads into what is widely tipped to be the toughest fight of his career.
Viewed by many as the number one light heavyweight on the planet, Beterbiev is the only world champion in boxing to have stopped every one of his opponents, boasting a record of 18 wins, 0 defeat and 18 KOs.
The showdown with ‘King Artur’ will be Yarde’s second crack at world honours, having come up short against another Russian in the form of Sergey Kovalev for the WBO strap in 2019. However, he will get a shot at three belts this time around as Beterbiev currently holds the WBC and IBF titles as well as the WBO.
With Yarde also scoring 22 of his 23 wins by knockout, there are very few in the sport expecting the fight at the O2 to go the distance.