Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde - 24 August 2019

[DrDuke]

Kovalev will most likely outbox Yarde similar to how he did with Alvarez. Maybe Yarde will be enough done later to be stopped.

[Ricky]

Yarde has shown nothing other than toying with some overmatched opponents not even eorthy of sparring. Seen it all the time, fighters failing to progress due to uncompetitive matchmaking. Kovalev would give him a pasting.

[Fightnight Scores]

An interesting one as there's always that slight thought that it MIGHT be good timing as Kov ages, though he put in a good showing last time out.

There's been lots of talk about him being near ready for world honours, so again interesting to see what move Warren makes. I think most people expect some excuses for this one not to happen.

If it does Kov has to be a big favourite simply due to the levels between them and Yarde is still a very unknown quantity.

[forcefraser]

Kovalev would destroy him. Has Yarde even been hit yet?

He'll Ken he's been hit when the Krusher land one on his mush

[oogiebe]

Kovalev would destroy him. Has Yarde even been hit yet?

He'll Ken he's been hit when the Krusher land one on his mush

Yarde can't fight the flat-footed stalker he seems to covet. At this stage of his development, dare I say this is a mismatch.

[skanksta]

Yarde is jumping several levels, but he might be catching Krusher at the right time.

I fancy Yarde might just about be ready for a creaking Kovalev, but Bivol and Beterbiev ?
No way.

I’m not totally convinced he’s the best LHW in the UK yet.

And THIS is the reason we wanted him in the British titke scene these last two years. clearing out Bugs, Burton, Ajisafe, Johnson and Buatsi - is s much better Finishing School than WBA interim International Super-European Silver titles he’s been ‘winning’

Is it guaranteed Fwank is gonna accept it ? Not like him to let his meal tickets off the leash until they’re the finished article.

kov is still better then crude open unproven bert

Artur beat Kov twice in the ams. AND it always felt like Kov wanted no part of a pro rematch. If they fought next Beterbiev would be the (slight) betting favourite.

am are the ams and it was like a 25-24 decision,, matt korobov beat kov too by a wider margin

and where did that feeling come from? beterbiev was offered a career high payday plus russian tv money to fight kov (confirmed) and turned it down. kov has been the one fighting good opposition not bert. bert fought trash mainly and said joe smith was too tough for him to take soon after the johnson fight

bert is a crude open slugger and has been put down multiple times himself. difference is that hes been fighting at a way lower level then kov has. i mean its feasible that he could ko kov, he does have power, but i see him as an overall lesser fighter and not in the same class as bivol or gvo either. its important to note to that although kov went 1-1 with alvarez he won probably like 15 of the 18 rounds they completed.


I didn't know that about a big Russian-tv money-fight - cheers.
Beterbiev IS crude AF for a world champ, but damn - he's exciting !
I reckon he's my number one "must watch" fighter and I reckon he beats what Kov has left now. Bivol is a level above, however.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Grilling Machine]

I think Kovalev's lost a fair bit of his engine over the past few years, but Yarde's probably too green to box patiently enough to expose it.

It might be a mismatch if it happens, but there are too many question marks floating around for me to call it one right now. My guess is 75% in Kov's favour.

[Coco]

Good luck to Yarde if he takes it, maybe FW knows something we don't, shrewd operator is our Frank.
Big balls on Yarde too if he takes it.

[jamamb]

lol whats he gonna do though, after repeatedly saying there above domestic/euro level and that there waiting for a world title shot, it will look a total bitch move if they get a shot and then reject it. it will just reaffirm the image a lot of ppl have of them taking no risks with him.

has all those wbo intercontinental or whatever fights to get the wbo shot and then doesnt take it? what was it all for then?!!?

[tobyh5]

He'll have to take it, either that or exposed as "LIARS IN THE CAMP! LIARS!"

[Ezzard]

I think this is an even fight. Yarde is excellent. Is he world level? Well, he'll put on the best performance of his career if they meet...and if he loses it then it won't be by much is my guess.


I'd favour Kov going in but youth is an overlooked asset.

[Deserter]

I think this is an even fight. Yarde is excellent. Is he world level? Well, he'll put on the best performance of his career if they meet...and if he loses it then it won't be by much is my guess.


I'd favour Kov going in but youth is an overlooked asset.

Mate, I'm not being rude but I'm genuinely staggered that respected posters on here can talk about this being an even fight. Kov took the best P4P fighter of recent times to the wire and has displayed world-class boxing skills backed up by world-class power on numerous occasions... and based on his last fight isn't really showing any signs of slipping. Meanwhile Yarde has beaten... err, Nikola Sjekloca
We've all seen plenty of fighters over the years who looked a million dollars beating up opponents at a certain level, before being found out when they stepped up and I don't see Yarde being any different. And certainly he hasn't been moved the right way to prepare for this type of challenge, he's just been treading water and fighting a succession of hand-picked opposition.
I honestly find it hard to make a case for anything other than Kov using that jab to own the first half of the fight before stepping it up and finishing a frustrated and worn down Yarde.

[oogiebe]

I think this is an even fight. Yarde is excellent. Is he world level? Well, he'll put on the best performance of his career if they meet...and if he loses it then it won't be by much is my guess.


I'd favour Kov going in but youth is an overlooked asset.

Mate, I'm not being rude but I'm genuinely staggered that respected posters on here can talk about this being an even fight. Kov took the best P4P fighter of recent times to the wire and has displayed world-class boxing skills backed up by world-class power on numerous occasions... and based on his last fight isn't really showing any signs of slipping. Meanwhile Yarde has beaten... err, Nikola Sjekloca
We've all seen plenty of fighters over the years who looked a million dollars beating up opponents at a certain level, before being found out when they stepped up and I don't see Yarde being any different. And certainly he hasn't been moved the right way to prepare for this type of challenge, he's just been treading water and fighting a succession of hand-picked opposition.
I honestly find it hard to make a case for anything other than Kov using that jab to own the first half of the fight before stepping it up and finishing a frustrated and worn down Yarde.

Me too. Yarde and Kov's career timing is off. If Yarde fought him at his prime, Kov would be too old. Right now...Yarde too inexperienced at this level. Too much of a leap in levels.

[Boxerbeetle]

Honestly I don’t know why people are even bothering to talk about this fight, there’s like a 5% chance of it actually being made.

[kbackup408]

Honestly I don’t know why people are even bothering to talk about this fight, there’s like a 5% chance of it actually being made.

totally agree ^ this fight will not happen - i lost hope after Barrera called him out but the team swiftly swerved !

[Ezzard]

I think this is an even fight. Yarde is excellent. Is he world level? Well, he'll put on the best performance of his career if they meet...and if he loses it then it won't be by much is my guess.


I'd favour Kov going in but youth is an overlooked asset.

Mate, I'm not being rude but I'm genuinely staggered that respected posters on here can talk about this being an even fight. Kov took the best P4P fighter of recent times to the wire and has displayed world-class boxing skills backed up by world-class power on numerous occasions... and based on his last fight isn't really showing any signs of slipping. Meanwhile Yarde has beaten... err, Nikola Sjekloca
We've all seen plenty of fighters over the years who looked a million dollars beating up opponents at a certain level, before being found out when they stepped up and I don't see Yarde being any different. And certainly he hasn't been moved the right way to prepare for this type of challenge, he's just been treading water and fighting a succession of hand-picked opposition.
I honestly find it hard to make a case for anything other than Kov using that jab to own the first half of the fight before stepping it up and finishing a frustrated and worn down Yarde.

I totally accept everything you say. But I feel if you're good enough then you're old enough. I think Yarde has enough about him and if his heart is there he will push himself.

Yarde should take the fight in my opinion. Calculated risk. But yes, he might get found out...

[Enlightened-One]

Kathy Duva (Main Events) today confirmed that Sergey Kovalev is likely to face his mandatory challenger, Anthony Yarde, with the blatant mismatch being targeted for August (on an event promoted by Top Rank and televised by ESPN).

She says her team are in the midst of discussions with the Brit’s handlers, with both sides wanting “to do the fight” and that it’s “probably going to happen.”

[leejonesjnr]

I don’t like the commonly used expression ‘found out’.
One boxer wins, one boxer loses, neither is found out.

[Coco]

I don’t like the commonly used expression ‘found out’.
One boxer wins, one boxer loses, neither is found out.

Better to say to show his level.
A good performance here will enhance him a lot even if he loses.
If he gets outclassed and destroyed, found out is more apt.
He is claiming to be world class, he needs to demonstrate this.

[Oiky]

Pray for yarde

[Twinkle Toes]

Yarde hasn't even got a jab. How's this going to work out unless he lands a humdinger

[danconnollyeire]

Yarde hasn't even got a jab. How's this going to work out unless he lands a humdinger

Literally his only chance. Kovalev can be hurt but only if you set up your attacks

[Bard of Boxrec]

This would be one hell of a fight.

I rate yarde highly. He may be a little green but I believe he’s ‘ready’ for this level. The eye test

I couldn’t pick a winner.

[Counter-puncher]

I'm imagining Kovalev by death.