Anthony Yarde Breaks Stefani Koykov & Proves Ready For Beterbiev
In a stay-busy fight, top light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde (23-2, 22KOs) took on Stefani Koykov (14-2, 1KOs).
RELATED: Anthony Yarde v Stefani Koykov: Fight Preview & Prediction
Yarde will be getting another crack at winning a world title against unified champion Artur Beterbiev in 2023. In his last outing, the British power puncher got revenge with a fourth-round knockout over Lyndon Arthur in 2021.
Fans are wondering if, perhaps, Yarde is looking past the unknown challenger in Koykov. During an interview with Boxing Social, he expressed being intensely focused on this fight. Failing to win the title in his first attempt against then-WBO champion Sergey Kovalev has been fueling him since 2019.
YARDE’S POWER ENDED THE FIGHT EARLY
Yarde started the fight by coming forward and working behind the jab off the front foot. He used feints along with left and right hook-counters that were scoring at will. Furthermore, he was extremely comfortable in the ring, going to the body and finding a home for the right uppercut.
Despite getting hit with a few overhand rights, Yarde was unfazed and continued to walk down Koykov. He threw every punch with mean intention, and a left hook to the body severely weakened the challenger.
In round three, Yarde went into beast mode – stalking his opponent with hard body shots and right uppercuts. He pinned Koykov against ropes and unloaded a barrage of punches. The WBO mandatory challenger landed an overhand right, double left hooks, and a right uppercut, sending his opponent to the canvas.
Koykov had had enough and stayed on one knee while the referee counted to ten, ending the contest. Yarde stopping his Bulgarian foe early lines up with 3Kings Boxing’s prediction from earlier in the week. It was the performance team Yarde wanted heading into a possible showdown with Beterbiev.
By: Garrisson Bland
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