Artur Beterbiev Extends Perfect Knockout Record, Defends Titles Against Anthony Yarde in Thrilling London Bout

United Kingdom - Ekhbary News Agency

Beterbiev Continues Reign: Brutal Stoppage of Yarde Paves Way for Undisputed Glory

London's Wembley Arena bore witness to another masterclass in power boxing as Artur Beterbiev, the undefeated Russian-Canadian light-heavyweight maestro, retained his WBO, WBC, and IBF world titles with a decisive eighth-round stoppage of British challenger Anthony Yarde. The victory, which extended Beterbiev's flawless professional record to 19-0, all by knockout, was a testament to his relentless pressure and formidable punching power, solidifying his position as one of boxing's most feared champions.

The highly anticipated bout on Saturday night was a back-and-forth affair, captivating a fiercely partisan home crowd that rallied behind Yarde. While Beterbiev, aged 38, was widely favored, Yarde, 31, demonstrated remarkable courage and skill, pushing the champion harder than many had anticipated. The Londoner enjoyed particular success in a pulsating fifth round, landing several clean shots that momentarily put Beterbiev on the back foot and ignited the arena with roars of excitement.

However, Beterbiev, known for his granite chin and unwavering resolve, drew upon all his ring nous. Methodically, he began to impose his will, breaking down Yarde with a steady diet of power shots. The decisive moment arrived in the eighth round when Beterbiev unleashed a massive right-hand shot that visibly crumpled Yarde to his knees. Despite beating the count, the British fighter was clearly compromised. Beterbiev immediately capitalised, pouring on relentless pressure, forcing Yarde’s corner to make the difficult but ultimately humane decision to call off the fight, sparing their man from further punishment.

Reflecting on the contest, Beterbiev, who trains in Montreal and holds Canadian citizenship, expressed satisfaction despite acknowledging the fight was closer than some expected. Speaking to BT Sport, he stated, “I can’t say I did a bad fight, but if I do again, I want to do better. But I feel good.” He commended Yarde, saying, “Anthony did [punch hard]. He’s young. He has time I think, and I hope he will do well in the future.” The Dagestani-born fighter also revealed his tactical preparation: “If I’m being honest, every punch he did, for all those punches we prepared, that’s why I came back and back, because we knew, we expected those punches.”

This eighth-round finish not only maintained Beterbiev’s remarkable 100% stoppage rate against all 19 of his professional opponents but also significantly intensified the clamor for an all-Russian undisputed light-heavyweight title fight against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. Bivol, 32, boasts an equally impressive undefeated record of 21-0 and famously handed Mexican great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez a rare and decisive loss in their title fight in Las Vegas in May of last year. Bivol followed that monumental victory with a dominant decision win over Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez in Abu Dhabi in November.

A potential clash between Beterbiev and Bivol represents one of boxing’s most compelling matchups, pitting two undefeated, world-class light-heavyweights against each other to determine an undisputed king. Both possess distinct styles – Beterbiev with his raw, concussive power, and Bivol with his masterful technical prowess and ring intelligence. The boxing world eagerly awaits what would undoubtedly be a historic unification bout, a true test of skill and will that promises to define the legacy of the victor in the annals of the sport.

Ekhbary News Agency