BoxRec

Anthony Yarde could be in line for Ben Whittaker in early 2027

Anthony Yarde could come next for Ben Whittaker presuming the up-and-coming contender gets past Conor Wallace in an IBF light heavyweight eliminator on October 3.

Yarde, 27-4 (24 KOs), is looking for a route back to the title picture at 175lbs after losing to David Benavidez in seven rounds last November. That represented the 35-year-old Londoner’s third attempt at light heavyweight honors after brave but losing efforts against Sergey Kovalev (2019) and Artur Beterbiev (2023).

Yarde’s trainer, Tunde Ajayi, has confirmed to TalkSport that the Briton will return in the final part of this year with Nigeria, and Balmoral Promotions, under consideration to host.

After that, the oft-mentioned showdown with the Matchroom-promoted Whittaker might occur in early 2027, presuming the Olympic silver medallist is 'ready' by then.

“We spoke to [Matchroom CEO] Frank Smith [about a fight with Whittaker], and they told us he wasn't going to be ready until early next year," Ajayi said.

A bout with long-time rival Joshua Buatsi is not quite off the table but it seems a bout with Whittaker, surely a more lucrative affair at this juncture, carries greater appeal.

"Ben is on his trajectory now, and people have always tried to build their name on Anthony Yarde,” Ajayi continued.

“I don’t want Ben Whittaker to be another Joshua Buatsi where your whole career is built of us and you still don’t fight. We want to see that fight: Anthony Yarde vs Joshua Buatsi, but we also want to see him against the new up-and-coming man [Ben Whittaker]. And Anthony would relish a fight against him.

"If you want a fight, you know Anthony Yarde is your man. He's a man who has proved himself over and over again."

I’d watch it.

Yarde would be a good opponent, especially if there's something left in there. if it's a late career payday only then no. Yarde had better find a tune up quick else go in to the fight after a year of inactivity.

Hang on. Ben Whittaker is neither a useless journeyman with a record of 9-32. Nor is he in the top 2 of the weight class with similar power in his right and left hands to that of a horses hind legs. Therefore he doesn’t fall into one of the two types of people that Anthony Yarde fights.

Next.

jameswilson wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 06:51 Hang on. Ben Whittaker is neither a useless journeyman with a record of 9-32. Nor is he in the top 2 of the weight class with similar power in his right and left hands to that of a horses hind legs. Therefore he doesn’t fall into one of the two types of people that Anthony Yarde fights.

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You left out ‘Nor is he Lyndon Arthur’

jameswilson wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 06:51 Hang on. Ben Whittaker is neither a useless journeyman with a record of 9-32. Nor is he in the top 2 of the weight class with similar power in his right and left hands to that of a horses hind legs. Therefore he doesn’t fall into one of the two types of people that Anthony Yarde fights.

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money talks at the end of careers especially

JC wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 07:22

jameswilson wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 06:51 Hang on. Ben Whittaker is neither a useless journeyman with a record of 9-32. Nor is he in the top 2 of the weight class with similar power in his right and left hands to that of a horses hind legs. Therefore he doesn’t fall into one of the two types of people that Anthony Yarde fights.

Next.

You left out ‘Nor is he Lyndon Arthur’

He made that mistake once and had to run it back. Never again.

JC wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 05:52I’d watch it.

Same, and hopefully Yarde has something left. He wouldn't have the speed of Quittie, but he is fairly resilient (unless your tier #1) and can put it on guys.
35 but will be 36 by the time they fight if it happens.

jameswilson wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 19:49

JC wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 07:22

jameswilson wrote: ↑19 Aug 2026, 06:51 Hang on. Ben Whittaker is neither a useless journeyman with a record of 9-32. Nor is he in the top 2 of the weight class with similar power in his right and left hands to that of a horses hind legs. Therefore he doesn’t fall into one of the two types of people that Anthony Yarde fights.

Next.

You left out ‘Nor is he Lyndon Arthur’

He made that mistake once and had to run it back. Never again.

the third time was just pointless.

If the fight happens next year, then I’d make Ben Whittaker a resounding favourite over the 36-year-old veteran version of Anthony Yarde, who was outboxed by Lyndon Arthur and has suffered brutal losses to Sergey Kovalev, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez.

And I don’t think “The Beast” stands a punchers chance either, because Yarde hasn’t stopped an impressive opponent within the last four years.

However, I doubt the fight happens unless Yarde gets a huge payday. Tunde Ajayi’s cautious management is unlikely to risk his fighter’s elite status in a high-stakes domestic bout, especially when another defeat could end Yarde’s career.

To be clear, I’m not a fan of Ben Whittaker ('The Surgeon' is surprisingly too cocky considering the lack of quality names on his resume... and he should have lost the first Liam Cameron fight).

So I usually support Whittaker's opponents whenever I see him compete, but if he fought Anthony Yarde, then I wouldn’t have a proverbial “horse” in this “race”.

Eolaithe wrote: ↑20 Aug 2026, 03:50 And I don’t think “The Beast” stands a punchers chance either, because Yarde hasn’t stopped an impressive opponent within the last four years.

Has he stopped any impressive opponent ever?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Aug 2026, 04:01

Eolaithe wrote: ↑20 Aug 2026, 03:50 And I don’t think “The Beast” stands a punchers chance either, because Yarde hasn’t stopped an impressive opponent within the last four years.

Has he stopped any impressive opponent ever?

I don’t think he has.

Despite his “The Beast” and “East London's Knockout Machine” nicknames, his career-best KO win came against Lyndon Arthur, but as far as I’m aware, he’s never been considered a top-ten world-rated fighter by The RING, ESPN, TBRB etc.

Yarde has never KO'd genuine world-level talent.

Arthur was on another planet that night Yarde stopped him - looked like he'd taken large dose of Mogodon