The Daily Dispatch E-Edition

Beterbiev stops Yarde in eight rounds to retain titles

Unbeaten light-heavyweight world boxing champion Artur Beterbiev stopped Britain’s Anthony Yarde in a thrilling eight rounds at London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday to retain his WBC, IBF and WBO belts.

The Russian-born Canadian sent the Briton to the canvas with a punishing right and, after a count, the challenger’s corner signalled referee Steve Gray to stop the fight, two minutes and one second into the round.

Montreal-based Beterbiev, 38, was behind on two of the three judges’ scorecards at that point, but the victory against an underdog who turned out to be a real threat, took his professional record to 19-0-0.

Yarde, 31, is now on 23 wins with three defeats and no draws.

Both men suffered facial cuts as they traded blows at a ferocious pace from the opening bell, Yarde under his right eye and Beterbiev to his left eyelid.

Yarde twice lost his gumshield in a pulsating fight that saw both men hammered against the ropes and landing stinging blows.

Beterbiev made every punch count but Yarde held in there and landed a crunching right in round five before being caught by an uppercut.

Round seven was another classic, Yarde pushing Beterbiev into a corner but the champion turning it around to rain blows on the Briton.

Classified

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2023-01-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://dispatch.pressreader.com/article/281947431988555

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