Is Anthony Yarde a real prospect?

Guy hasn't faced anyone. Picking him seems weird.

 

The matchup just has a little bit of that feeling of stepping stone to it ... Yarde's people taking a calculated gamble, etc

We'll find out

 

One aspect is also how much Kovalev has trained. According to some rumours he spent more time boozing than training ever since the Chilemba fight. If the KO loss woke him up to actually work out, he might still have something in the tank.

Even so, I pick Yarde. Yes he could still be a total bust, but I think he might be the guy to dethrone a shopworn Kovalev

 

There's no way Yarde's people aren't taking the fight without first having some "inside" info....

 

That's kind of where I'm coming from...

 

Yeah but what's the angle? That Kov has been drinking again? I'd be interested to see what happens. As I say, Bookies seem unsure of themselves.

 

Yardes taking the fight cuz kovalev is the most vulnerable of the current russian champs

 

Yes but nobody is demanding that Yarde fight anybody, as such, never mind compete for a title. Seems odd.

 

Hes ranked 1 for kovalevs title

 

And has he been forced to take it? Is he mandatory? I never heard his name mentioned very often, seems to be no clamour.

 

Yes hes mandatory. Hes taking the fight cuz his team sees vulnerability in kovalev . If he doesnt strike now someone tougher for him to beat will knock off kovalev first

 

As pointed out, looks similar to Pascal. If he has any power at all, he can do some damage here.

Kovalev’s experience here might just carry the day.

 

Great breakdown. One thing to consider for the possible upcoming episode:

Imo Yarde does have one impressive result in his otherwise lacking resume. The four round, multi-KD stoppage of Nikola Sjekloca was good. Sjekloca while nothing great is a hard-nosed and wily survivor who easily went full rounds with Abraham and Zeuge and drew with Stieglitz not that long ago.

Of course, impressive beating of a good guy does not equal to defeating a very good guy

 

Kovalev, in Russia, is only a -160 favorite over Yarde. He must have epic boozing sessions with Pavlik or something

 

Lol.

 

That, or Yarde's highlight reel videos have made an impression

 

I wonder how Yarde reacts when Kovalev hits him.

 

Yardes trainer doesnt believe in sparring. so the guy hasnt sparred at all in camp

 

I know nothing about Yarde but read he had 12 amateur fights and this is his 18th pro fight. Kovalev will box wisely early, let Yarde get gassed then knock him out.

There's no reason to engage an inexperienced fighter early when a punchers chance is all the guy has.

 

He must want this guy to get killed.

EDIT:

Just watched a few rounds of Yarde and Andre Ward's comments about the fight. Yarde is out of his league.

Easy win for Kovalev.

I laughed at Ward's response when told Yarde's trainer doesn't believe in sparring, "Good luck with that."

 

Yarde's trainer doesn't believe in sparring???? What the fuck

 

I bet he believes in ass whuppin's. That's what his inexperienced Joshua clone will get.

 

Sounds retarded, but so far Yarde has looked good in the ring

 

I wish I could join in more, but yeah Yarde has shown fuck all to suggest he could hang with Kov, but at the same time he's shown nothing to suggest he can't hang with Kov, if he hasn't sparred though then that's just dumb as fuck.

 

So it could be a bit of a shock. If Yarde losses his promoter will be roasted for getting a title shot after such bad competition.

 

I'm going for Yarde. No reason at all other than it'll make me look shit hot if I pick him and he wins.

 

that was a fun fight. Great heart by both and incredible finish

 

scores were rather fair, close fight but Mukabu deserved it