Editor’s Letter: Yarde’s performance against Beterbiev demonstrates not only his qualities but also the importance of experience

WOW, what a massive effort by Anthony Yarde on Saturday night when he challenged the world light-heavyweight king, Artur Beterbiev. While the results were exactly as Boxing News predicted, the competition itself proved to be more competitive than we and many others expected. To do that, Yarde had to get up and bow.

Yarde only deserves credit for the way he handled himself before, during, and after the competition that reminds us – like a sip of tequila after being mesmerized in a carriage – boxing can be as exhilarating as it can be. how. The fact that he performed so well against an established 19-0 (19) world champion will highlight both his innate fighting prowess and his ability to deal with pressure that cannot be learned. Physically and psychologically, Yarde is certainly blessed.

What else can Yarde do against such a talented opponent? At this stage of his career, with the experience he had accumulated before, it seemed a brave defeat the best he could achieve. But it’s fair to wonder if Yarde’s path to the bout is right for a challenge like Beterbiev, a boxer who has operated at the highest level for years. Even to compete with such an opponent, Yarde, who started later than the competition, was well managed by an advertising organization that knew exactly how to play the game.

The bottom line, however, is the same now as it was last week: Yarde is yet to win a game against a truly top competitor. That’s neither a criticism nor a surprise, given that the only proven world-class boxers he has faced are Beterbiev and, in 2019, Sergey Kovalev. In either case, it would not be disrespectful to conclude that the final leap was too broad.

Yarde’s best win on the ledger is still Lyndon Arthur’s four-round stop in December 2021, a boxer who finds himself flirting with the world’s top 10 simply because he beat an unusual Yarde in a run-in. their first 12 months ago. The rematch victory over Arthur was Yarde’s ninth time competing for the regional WBO belt, with the previous eight being against lackluster opponents, gatekeepers or unknown imports. While the underlying rationale for accumulating rank points against opponents is largely below face value, one can’t help but wonder if Yarde would have turned out to be an even better boxer today. if instead, he’s up against more worthy opponents on his way to the top.

Artur Beterbiev attacks Anthony Yarde during their light-heavyweight match at Wembley Arena on January 28, 2023 (James Chance/Getty Images)

It is arguably one-sided to suggest that Yarde should be better competed when one considers that he is now not only competing for the major title twice in such a short time, but has also performed admirably in all competitions. two contents. However, whether the current system – consistent with sanctioning authority until the belt wars take place – is holding back the growth of certain boxers, like Yarde, who is unquestionably gifted. doubt? Yarde operates in a highly regarded light-heavyweight era, especially in the UK, where there is an abundance of talent. But since he clinched the South Zone title with a win over Chris Hobbs in 2017, the only British boxers he’s faced are Arthur (twice) and Dec Spelman. Even if Yarde has taken on Craig Richards or Callum Johnson, it’s likely his level of education – win or lose – will be enhanced. Honestly, it’s crazy that we have so many top light companies in the UK and none of them will go head-to-head due to promotional ties, that justifies loyalty. with a set of sanctioning authority ratings and, ultimately, a fear of losing. Perhaps if Yarde and Joshua Buatsi had done it years ago, or we had had a situation where the best Brits were regularly fighting the best Brits, there would have been basically many. more interested in having one of them face a talent like Beterbiev than having on the weekend.

Fighters often start climbing a particular ranking ladder only to discover that the final rung is still a long way from the top. This method is adopted by all ad groups, it is not exclusive to Yarde; His case is just a topical example.

There’s a worthwhile argument to consider, too. Had Yarde had a harder time, he might have lost his way and didn’t build his confidence, and therefore didn’t stand a chance against Beterbiev. Now there’s no doubt he’s world class. No matter what happens in the future, Yarde will always be able to tell that he’s come close to one of the scariest champions around. That alone is a huge achievement and it’s heartwarming to see die-hard fans uniting and properly praising his efforts.

Importantly, at the age of 31 and being surrendered at the right time by coach Tunde Ajayi, Yarde’s sublimation journey may not be over yet.