BETERBIEV RISES TO THE OCCASION!!
Artur Beterbiev (18W-0L-18KO’s) put his IBF/WBC/WBO Light Heavyweight belts on the line against the hazardous Anthony Yarde (23W-2L-22KO’s) in a bout that was anticipated to be volatile and they didn’t disappoint!
From the opening bell, Yarde used his jab to keep Beterbiev off-balance while finding a home for his left hook. The pair traded shots throughout the fight, making each other pay for mistakes, which made for suffocating edge of your seat rounds.
I found myself waiting for one of them to waiver after taking a massive shot but they both recovered fast, that is until the 8th round; Yarde got struck with a straight right that wobbled him and then with a looping right that put him down. He was able to get up, took a little more abuse until his corner had seen enough, and stopped the fight.
I think the stoppage could be scrutinized as being a little premature but the corner is there to protect their fighter and I have no qualms with that; there is a chance that Yarde could’ve recuperated but he also could’ve been seriously injured, so was it worth the risk? His corner didn’t think so, and I’m OK with the decision even though I didn’t want the fight to end!
Yarde was winning on the scorecards going into the 8th and I believe he showed a warriors heart and look forward to his fights in the future.
Hats off to the champ Artur Beterbiev and hope to see him vs the WBA Light Heavyweight belt holder Dmitrii Bivol (21W-0L-11KO’s) for a showdown for the undisputed title.
