ANTHONY YARDE takes on monster light-heavyweight Artur Beterbiev TONIGHT in a huge unification fight.
Yarde, 31, beat Stefani Koykov t the end of 2022 to set up the clash with Russian Beterbiev, who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF light-heavyweight belts.
Get Beterbiev KO/TKO at 20/1 or Yarde KO/TKO at huge 150/1
The pair have been on a collision course for months as the fight was originally scheduled to take place in October.
But an injury to Beterbiev set the fight back until the end of January.
Yarde has fought for a world title before, losing by knockout to Sergey Kovalev back in 2019.
But he had some BIG chances to put away his Russian opponent, but seemed to lack the experience to take the opportunity.
The London man then fought twice with Lyndon Arthur, losing the first on points before winning the second via knockout.
Beterbiev is 18-0 as a professional and has won every single one of his fights by knockout.
It's no surprise he is avoided by most – so Yarde already deserves some plaudits for taking on the beast
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What are their records?
Yarde has fought 25 times, winning 23 and losing two.
Of his victories, 22 have been by way of KO – showing his devastating power.
Beterbiev's record is simply frightening.
The Canada-based banger has won all 18 of his fights, and all by way of KO.
What are their odds?
Yarde 6-1
Beterbiew – 1-12
Draw 25-1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
When is Yarde vs Beterbiev?
- Yarde's big clash with Beterbiev will take place TONIGHT – Saturday, January 28.
- The fight will take place at the OVO Arena in Wembley.
- Yarde vs Beterbiev ring-walks will get underway from 10.30pm UK time.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
- Yarde vs Beterbiev will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
- You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download on your mobile or tablet device.
Yarde vs Beterbiev FULL CARD
- Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde – For WBC, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles
- Artem Dalakian vs David Jimenez – for WBA flyweight title
- Willy Hutchinson vs Emil Markic
- Karol Itauma vs Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna
- Charles Frankham vs Joshua Ocampo
- Umar Khan vs Sandeep Singh Bhatti
- Sean Noakes vs Santiago Garces
- Tommy Fletcher vs Darryl Sharp
- Joshua Frankham vs Joe Hardy
- Khalid Ali vs Ivica Gogosevic
What has been said?
“Since I’ve started boxing I’ve not had more than one week out of the gym,"Yarde said.
"Beterbiev had more than 200 amateur fights and 18 professional, but I’m going to be sharp and focused.
“In the light-heavyweight division, he has been nothing but a wrecking ball, knocking out every opponent so far.
“He’s very powerful but I feel I’m faster and, by age, I’m fresher, but in experience, I’m behind him.”
SunSport Prediction
What we DO know is this is a real battle of the bangers.
There is no doubt Yarde could hurt Beterbiev – but the Russian-born-Canadian-living beast just seems a different breed.
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He will be happy to fight fire with fire – and his will just burn that bit stronger on the night.
We're going for Beterbiev by mid to late stoppage.
- James Orr
How to watch Yarde vs Beterbiev
Tonight's huge clash will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD.
You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
The main card gets underway from 7pm UK time, with the main event expected to start at around 10.30pm.
- James Orr
Yarde vs Beterbiev tale of the tape
How the two light-heavyweight stalwarts compare ahead of tonight's HUGE main event…
- James Orr
Full Wembley Arena card
Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde – For WBC, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles
Artem Dalakian vs David Jimenez – for WBA flyweight title
Willy Hutchinson vs Emil Markic
Karol Itauma vs Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna
Charles Frankham vs Joshua Ocampo
Umar Khan vs Sandeep Singh Bhatti
Sean Noakes vs Santiago Garces
Tommy Fletcher vs Darryl Sharp
Joshua Frankham vs Joe Hardy
Khalid Ali vs Ivica Gogosevic
Moses Itauma vs Marcel Bode
- James Orr
Undercard latest
There's a cracking set of fights for you to feast your eyes on.
Heavyweight fans rejoice, as we've a new talent on our hands in the form of Moses Itauma, who makes his pro debut against Marcel Bode.
Itauma, brother of Karol, also fighting on the undercard, has impressed in the amateurs, winning tournament after tournament with some ruthless stoppage victories.
Tommy Fletcher, Charles Frankham and Willy Hutchinson are all also in action.
And Artem Dalakian defends his WBA flyweight title against David Jimenez in the co-main event.
Credit: Reuters - James Orr
Yarde vs Beterbiev is here
Hello and welcome to SunSport's live coverage of Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev… and what a cracker we're all in for tonight.
Yarde has been pining for another world title shot ever since his devastating knockout loss to Sergey Kovalev in 2019.
Wins and another loss, to Lyndon Arthur, has since followed, but after avenging the Arthur defeat, Yarde is back in contention.
The 31-year-old lost his father and grandmother to Covid-19 during the pandemic and is hellbent on dedicating tonight's clash to them.
But standing in his way is the formidable Beterbiev, who holds three light-heavyweight titles and has 18 KO wins from 18 fights.
Tasks don't get much harder than this for Yarde, who is looking to produce a huge upset at Wembley Arena.
The WBC, WBO and IBF titles are all on the line, and a potential undisputed fight against WBA belt holder Dmitry Bivol awaits.
Whatever happens tonight, expect fireworks, and don't expect to hear the final bell.
So kick back with a cold one and enjoy the action – we've got you covered for the entire evening.
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