Former British challenger slugger light heavyweight Anthony Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) in anticipation of his second title attempt – in 2019 lost ahead of schedule to WBO champion Russian Sergey Kovalev.
This time, Yard is claiming three belts at once. He again entered the position of a mandatory challenger from the WBO and is waiting for the winner of the unification fight between world champions Russian Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) and American Joe Smith Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) – they will fight on June 18 in New York (USA).
Yard promoter Frank Warren (queensberry promotions) works closely with Beterbiev’s promoter and Smith’s co-promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank).
According to him, Yard already even has a date for the fight: “The fight will take place on October 22. We have almost agreed on this with Top Rank. That is, we are talking about the fight against the winner of the fight Beterbiev vs Smith. Hopefully we can make this fight in Britain. We have already discussed this with Arum, we both want to organize this fight. We have booked a date. And what are the other options? The winner is obliged to give battle to Yard, since he is the mandatory challenger. The WBO has already confirmed this. Yard will be on the ringside with coach Tunde Ajayi for the Beterbiev vs Smith fight.”
Fans dream that the absolute champion will soon be determined in this division. Warren suggests that this will not happen: “It will not happen. If the winner refuses to fight with Yarde, he will be forced to automatically give up the title. I don’t think he will go for it. (WBA Super Champion) Dmitry Bivol? I don’t think they will look for opportunities to fight Bivol. I’m just explaining the situation to you. I explain that we already have a scheduled date. I explain that I have no reason to remove my fighter from a fight for three titles, and I will not do this. I won’t do it all. Dot”.
Meanwhile, promoter Oscar De La Hoya claims that Bivol already has an opponent, we are waiting for an official decision from the WBA. The Russian does not seem to mind at all: “He has been boiling with Ramirez for a long time.”
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