It was the ‘fight before the fight’ for Anthony Yarde as a huge announcement loomed over his fight with Stefani Koykov in Telford.

It only took three rounds, and it was three rounds that highlighted the gulf in class between a mid-tier fighter and one who is on the verge of a three-belt unification.

Koykov came to England with little more than a puncher’s chance, his 12 KOs in 14 victories suggesting he could pop. However, on seeing barely two minutes of action, it was clear he was no more than a sitting duck for the stalking Yarde.

It wasn’t a blitzing fast start by any stretch, as Yarde measured up his target. By surprise, Koykov came out for the second with intent - it was intent, however, that didn’t last long.

Yarde whipped in body shots that stung the Bulgarian and mixed it with some neat work upstairs. By the end of round two, Koykov returned to his corner a different man, wounded and fading.

With the direction of the fight clear, it was Yarde’s job to make sure he executed his finish in a clean fashion.

And he did exactly that. His iron jab assisting some big shots to the body and head. Now in retreat, Koykov covered up but could not stop the onslaught from all angles.

Then the finish, AN UPPERCUT SO STRONG IT TOOK KOYKOV OFF HIS FEET. An uppercut that barring disaster will be the last punch he throws before his date with destiny. An uppercut fitting of the man he will face in just two month’s time.

ARTUR BETERBIEV.

It will be four years since Yarde went to Russia for world title shot number one. Four years since he came close to an upset of mega proportions. Four years since he showed cojones so big, he needed extra leg room on his flight home. Four years since he showed the boxing world he is more than capable.

Now, after a rollercoaster time in between, his date with the sport’s most feared finisher sits as one of the 2023 calendar highlights. It’s January 28th. It’s Wembley Arena. IT’S ON.  

The ‘Beast from the East’ will be met head on by a beast in his own right. Born and raised in the notoriously tough fighting region of Dagestan, this is a fighter whose reputation was built on destruction.

No fighter is yet to even go the distance with, let alone walk away victorious against Artur Beterbiev. However, at 37, and coming off the back of an injury which postponed this exact fight in October…

… WHY CAN’T THE STARS ALIGN FOR ANTHONY YARDE?

Oscar Bevis