Britain, Get Behind Anthony Yarde
In many people’s eyes, Anthony Yarde is faced with an almost impossible challenge in the threat of Artur Beterbiev. When they say ‘impossible’, they say so because nobody is yet to find a solution to overcoming the ‘Beast’.
In fact, those who have tried to find the solution, usually end up on their back. Then again, the only way to discover the limits of what is possible, is to go beyond them into the impossible. This weekend Anthony will do so. And it is our job to get behind him.
After all, he himself packs a punch. In fact, if the carnival punch machines are anything to go by, then this fight ends with a new British world champion. Of course this is a facetious remark, but by no means underestimate the danger that lurks behind Anthony’s gloves.
As we know styles make fights, and in no way will Yarde be hanging his hat on the Callum Johnson punch that dropped Beterbiev in 2018. But it is fuel for excitement. This isn’t an immovable object. This is a man who, now nearing 40, may only be one punch away from his end.
Yet as previously mentioned, he is only ever one punch away from delivering something devastating himself.
And that is what makes this fight so intriguing. There is no talking point that generates as much excitement as who will finish who. It takes a certain type of fighter, in fact a certain type of person, to emit such confidence that you can actually knock someone out.
That is because trying to knock someone out makes you vulnerable. Yes, you can be smart and throw big shots. But these are two men who want to land that huge haymaker. That haymaker always comes with the ultimate risk - exposing yourself.
Whilst you pull back that trigger, whilst you drop that lead hand, whilst you throw that potentially finishing shot… just don’t get caught.
Of course, both of these men know this. You don’t reach this far in a sport like boxing if you are naïve. You don’t reach this far in the sport without many characteristics, even the ones that are pulled apart after your setbacks.
Let’s take Yarde. I don’t think there is a fighter in British boxing who has had their character interrogated quite like he has. The defeat to Sergey Kovalev in 2019, no matter how gutsy, left many questioning more than his boxing ability.
The defeat to Lyndon Arthur 16 months later did little to fix a dented persona.
Yet through all of this it is Yarde’s stubbornness and determination - be it to stick by his team, or to stick by his own ability - that has led him towards what could now be his destiny moment.
A destiny moment that would rank up there alongside some of the greatest British wins; Honeyghan over Curry, Benn over McClellan, Fury over Klitschko. What a sight it would be to see Anthony Yarde’s hand lifted at Wembley this weekend.
And for British boxing maybe this is about more than a unified world champion. Maybe Yarde is the fighter that British boxing might not have wanted, but the fighter it now needs.
Personable, entertaining and honest.
For years now we have looked towards the heavyweights to carry our flag. No doubt they will continue to do so for years to come. Perhaps aside from these, Yarde is the man to help carry it in an era where many of our headliners have sailed into retirement.
Anthony Yarde could be our saviour waiting in the wings.
Go and do it, big man!
Oscar Bevis
Official reporter for iFL TV
