Yarde Might Be More Comfortable in Another Division

The coach of British light heavyweight boxer Anthony Yarde (25-3, 24 KOs) believes, despite the fact that the Brit has boxed his entire career in this category, his athlete would be in better shape if he moved up to the cruiserweight limit (up to 200 lbs).

"I remember when Anthony made his debut. His opponent, Mitch Mitchell, said, 'Is he really a light heavyweight?' Anthony maintained that weight solely through discipline. If you look at him even today, comparing him to someone like Cheavon Clarke, who is fighting for the British heavyweight title, Anthony is bigger and broader than him.

Other fighters may be taller, but Anthony is solid. I believe he would actually be more comfortable at cruiserweight because then he could operate at full power. He spars with heavyweights and cruiserweights in the gym. They can confirm that, despite his weight, he hits like a heavyweight. At the stage he is currently at, the light heavyweight division is very appealing. So, he could stay in this division for another 3-4 fights," said Ajayi.

Yarde has won the Intercontinental champion titles in the light heavyweight division several times and has been a contender for world champion belts, losing championship fights to Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev.

Anthony's next fight will also take place within the same division. His opponent is expected to be fellow countryman Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs).