Anthony Yarde skips past Marcus Browne for the WBO #1 ranking!
3kingsboxing has learned, in a strange move, that the WBO has a new #1 ranking Light-heavyweight. Anthony Yarde (16-0, 15 KOs) has surpassed previously #1 ranked contender Marcus Browne (21-0, 16 KOs).
Both men are undefeated.
Yarde, a 26 year old British fighter, has turned down two world title opportunities. Once against IBF Light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and another against WBO Light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.
Browne, a 27 year old New York native, had accepted an agreement to face Kovalev earlier this year. But for some reason the fight never materialized.
So, why this sudden unexplained move by the WBO? In this case, it could be title recognition.
Yarde currently holds both the WBO European/Inter-Continental belts while Browne only holds the WBC USNBC title and has a fight schedule for August 4th.
This will only add more pressure to Yarde, who has recently been under heavy criticism for his choice of opponent. Browne has probably the more respectable resume between the two.
Honestly, this move doesn’t really make sense.Although, one thing is for certain – the Light-heavyweight division is becoming very interesting
3kingsboxing continue to follow this story for further developments.
By: Garrisson “Bo” Bland
