Frank Warren Wants To Make Anthony Yarde vs Joe Smith Jr Next
Queensberry Promotions CEO Frank Warren already has in mind for two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22KO) to face former WBO champion Joe Smith Jr (28-4, 22KO).
Looking to get Yarde back in the ring, Warren likes the idea of a fight with Smith Jr sometime this year. The British fighter gave a valiant effort in defeat against unified champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28. The Queensberry CEO was proud of the courage and skills his fighter displayed. In an interview with iFL TV, Warren suggested the fight’s outcome would have been different if Yarde was fighting Smith Jr instead.
“Had it been somebody else another time, he’d be world champion. If he’d been in there with Joe Smith, he’d have been world champion.”
TARGETING JOE SMITH JR NEXT FOR ANTHONY YARDE
The British promoter continued by stating a Smith fight is within the realm of possibility, provided Top Rank is willing to make it happen.
“I’m going to speak to Bob (Arum) about it. It’d be a great fight to make . . . that’s my opinion. I’m sure his management, they’ve got a different opinion. But that would be a great fight to make.”
Smith Jr is also a former victim of the unified champion. However, Yarde was competitive while the former WBO champion was on the receiving end of a one-sided massacre in June 2022.
This is a good fight to make, with both men coming off losses. In addition, Smith is ranked in the top five within all of the governing sanctioning bodies. A victory would keep Yarde close to getting a third bite at the apple.
By: Bo Bland
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