“This is the Champions League.” Coach Yard about the fight with Beterbiev

The odious coach of the contender for the world title in the light heavyweight division (up to 79.4 kg) Briton Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) Tunde Ajayi gave
interview local media after the victory of the ward over the Bulgarian
Stephanie Koikov (14-2, 12 KOs).

The main attention of the media was riveted to the announced duel of the Yard against the unified champion from Canada Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), which is scheduled for January 28, 2023 in London. The mentor compared the future match with the strongest club football tournament.

– Let’s talk about the fight that was announced: Beterbiev – Yard, January 28th. Tunde, according to Beterbiev’s recordings that you watched, where do you see his strengths and vulnerabilities?

Well, he’s an elite. This is the level. This is the top. What is more “Premier League”? Champions League. This is the Champions League. This is the top of the peaks. You’re going up against elite level guys who mentally and physically can box, can hit, can do anything. He started with 12 amateur fights and now, 4 years after fighting for one title, he is going to fight for 3 titles. This is the Champions League, this is the elite level of the sport. It’s just a level where every boxer with ambition dreams of being. Every coach, every manager and of course the promoters, because they do everything.

I have always said that the relationship between coach and fighter is very close. Coming from the void that Anthony and I came from and being here for the second time is amazing.

• Yard promised to beat Beterbiev, remembered the duel with Kovalev

– Before the fight with Kovalev, people were wondering: “Is he ready?” Now, in front of Beterbiev – the same thing. Koikov wasn’t the fight that would set him up for Beterbiev, but you see Anthony in the gym every day. What makes you feel like he’s ready for this fight?

“Listen, people are fighting… Floyd Mayweather won the title in his 17th fight. Shakur Stevenson is already a champion in two categories. Devin Haney is the youngest undisputed champion. I don’t think Devin has 30 fights. When will we be ready? What I’m trying to say is that there are so many fighters, Olympians, who haven’t fought for a title yet. They’re still knocking on the window, “let me in.” We have 12 amateur fights, four years ago we fought for one championship against perhaps the best light heavyweight at the time, twice The Ring magazine fighter of the year. And now we’re up against the lineal champion of the light heavyweight division.

People ask, “Is he ready?” There will never be a ready time. That’s why you can’t listen to people from outside. You can’t let what’s going on outside influence what’s going on inside. If you do this, you will never reach your dream. So let’s see. At least we give people the opportunity to say, “Okay, these guys are doing it again.” For me, it’s a great thing, the fact that someone has a dream and has the courage to take on a challenge. That’s what’s important.