Anthony Yarde Speaks on Upcoming Bout with Sergey Kovalev!
With just a little under a month to go, Anthony Yarde (18-0, 17 KO’s) is ready to rough up WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KO’s). The two will collide at the Trektor Sport Palace, located in Chelyabinsk, Russia on August 24. The bout will serve as Yarde’s first attempt at a world title.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
On a number of occasions, this tantalizing prizefight came perilously close to falling apart. Initially, it was Kovalev’s many legal dilemmas that greatly hampered the finalization of the match.
It should be noted that recently, the WBO champion found himself in more legal trouble that saw him arrested for harassment. However, there is no indication that the fight has been cancelled or postponed at the time this article was published.
Later, out of nowhere, boxing cash cow Saul “Canelo” Alvarez publicized his interest in fighting the Krusher. Naturally, Kovalev and his team took the time to investigate the Mexican’s actual level of seriousness. Following a pair of low-ball offers, however, Team Kovalev finally sealed the deal with Yarde.
“It’s always going to be like that. There are some people that actually go through the rankings very slowly. There are some people who get offered opportunities and just don’t ever take it. I’ve got an opportunity here and I feel like I have the ability. I’ve got the capabilities to do it, so why not?”
As you would expect, Yarde is brimming with confidence as this potentially life changing fight approaches. He and his team believe that the UK native has every tool he’ll need at his disposal to topple the Krusher.
This is not a very popular sentiment with boxing insiders and countless fans. Many look at the WBO’s #1 ranked contender and see a light heavyweight pup still somewhat “wet behind the ears.” For those who subscribe to this mindset, this leap in competition will be too difficult a task for Yarde to navigate.
“I don’t really focus on the doubters. I feel like doubters are still supporters, they’re still giving you energy, they’re still talking about you, they’re still interested. So, the satisfaction for me, again, will be becoming world champion, fulfilling a dream.”
CHANGING OF THE GUARD, OR NO?
Only time will tell what Kovalev gets in the ring on August 24. For years, he comfortably ruled the 175lbs landscape with an iron fist. That was until he ran into a brick wall named Andre Ward.
Ward would defeat Kovalev in a controversial premiere prizefight, then made matters more definitive with an eighth round stoppage in the rematch. After the pair of defeats, the court of public opinion condemned the Krusher to be a thing of the past. When Kovalev was later knocked out by Eleider Alvarez, the fearsome Russian was officially labeled yesterday’s news.
Obviously, the Krusher never got the memo that he was obsolete! Unlike the situation with Andre Ward, Kovalev was able to rebound and soundly defeat Alvarez in their rematch. Not only did the WBO champion win, he fought in an undeniably rejuvenated fashion.
If this focused, elite-level Kovalev shows up, the British challenger will have his hands more than full! Regardless of who walks away with the title, this should be one fun dust-up for however long it lasts. But just show up on time because this one is not likely to go the distance!
“I just feel like a fight is a fight. So again, there has been people that have been put in front of me and I have annihilated them. There have been people put in from of Kovalev and he’s annihilated them. Now we’re going to clash […] for me it’s a fight.”
3kingboxing will continue to provide coverage on this enticing prizefight.
By: Bakari Simpson
