ANTHONY YARDE WILL challenge long-standing world champion Sergey Kovalev for his WBO World Light Heavyweight championship in Chelyabinsk, Russia on August 24. The fight will be broadcast live and exclusive in the UK on BT Sport.

Yarde, 18-0 with 17 Kos, has again accepted the delayed mission of heading into the home nation of the world champion known as Krusher in order to fulfil the first part of his dream of holding multiple world title belts and ruling the division for years to come.

The 27-year-old now gets the opportunity to take on the most experienced and formidable of the current world champions, with the 36-year-old having clocked up 28 Kos from his 33 wins. Kovalev has operated in world title competition since parting Nathan Cleverly from his WBO belt in August 2013 in Cardiff.

“This is my time now and I am going to show the world what I am all about,” said the challenger, the self-styled Beast from the East of London. “Waiting for my time to come around could have been a frustration but we turned it into a positive and I am even more ready to seize the moment.

“Everything has fallen perfectly into place for me, this will be my coronation as world champion and I am going to realise my dream by beating the most decorated of the current world title holders.

“I am more than happy to achieve my goal in Russia and I think it is only right that a great world champion such as Kovalev is given the opportunity to defend in his home country. He has earned that right.

“What I know is that on August 24 another world title belt will be under British ownership and I will have done it the hard way, one that nobody will be able to question.

“My promoter and my manager have made all the right moves to get me into this position and I thank Frank Warren and Tunde Ajayi for creating this opportunity for me. They have done their part and it is now up to me to deliver.”

Frank Warren said the self-belief of his light heavyweight star was the key to accepting a mandatory challenge on away territory.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Anthony and he has earned his shot by working his way to the No.1 spot in the rankings,” said the promoter. “He has showed what he is all about by being prepared to go into Kovalev’s back yard and it demonstrates the confidence he has in his own ability.

“Everybody knows Kovalev is a tremendous puncher and a fearsome presence in the ring. It is something we first saw over here when he fought Nathan Cleverly and he has continued to operate at the very highest level.

“Anthony possesses tremendous self-belief and we back him to come away with the spoils but, whatever does happen in the fight, it is one that he will take a lot of valuable experience from.”

Yarde’s trainer-manager Tunde Ajayi added: “We’re here now! It’s been stage by stage, it’s been calculated and everything is timing, which I have said from the start.

“The time is now and we are about to shock the world. I cannot remember a fighter with so little experience going over to another man’s back yard to take on a great champion, so I don’t want to hear any excuses when Anthony knocks him out.

“I know that is going to happen.”

Anthony Yarde stopped Travis Reeves in round five of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at Royal Albert Hall in London.

In round five, Yarde landed several heavy and flush right hands that wobbled Reeves, and referee Marcus McDonnell stopped the bout at 48 seconds.

Yarde is now 18-0 with 17 knockouts. Reeves is 17-4-2.

Liam Williams obliterated Joe Mullender in round two of their scheduled 12 round middleweight fight.

Williams dropped Mullender in the 2nd frame with a crushing uppercut that sent Mullender down face-first. Mullender got to his feet, only to eat a booming right that knocked him down and out and the fight was immediately waved off at 1:09.

Williams is 20-2-1 with 15 knockouts. Mullender is 11-3.

Daniel DuBois remained undefeated by stopping Razvan Cojanu in round two of their scheduled ten-round heavyweight bout.

DuBois landed a hard left-right that dropped Cojanu in the 2nd frame. Cojanu could not get to his feet before then ten-count at 2:48.

DuBois is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Cojanu is 16-6.

Hamzah Sheeraz destroyed Rod Douglas Jr inside of a round of their scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.

Sheeraz dropped the overmatched Douglas three times before the fight was stopped when the towel was thrown in at 1:10.

Sheeraz is 7-0 with three knockouts. Douglas is 2-2.

(March 7, 2019) — Two of the biggest punchers in British boxing — light heavyweight Anthony Yarde and heavyweight Daniel Dubois — are ready to put on a Friday afternoon show for American fight fans.

In the main event, Yarde will defend his WBO Intercontinental belt in a 10-rounder against Baltimore native Travis “Seveer” Reeves at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London. In one of the co-features, Dubois will battle former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO Global belt.

Yarde-Reeves will headline a live five-fight stream beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Yarde (17-0, 16 KOs) has knocked out 15 opponents in a row, a streak that dates back to his second professional bout in June 2015. He is the WBO No. 2 contender for the belt currently held by Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Before a potential world title shot, he must get past Reeves (17-3-2, 7 KOs), a 38-year-old Baltimore native who has won two bouts in a row. In his last ring outing, Jan. 17 in Las Vegas, he knocked down Lanell Bellows (18-3-2 at the time) twice en route to a well-earned unanimous decision win.

Dubois (9-0, 8 KOs) is the latest in the long line of fearsome British heavyweight punchers, a London native who has turned heads since turning pro in April 2017. His only decision victory came in his last bout, a dominant performance over veteran Kevin Johnson that streamed on ESPN+. Dubois was originally supposed to face Cojanu in December, but he contracted the flu during fight week and had to pull out. Cojanu (16-5, 9 KOs) challenged Joseph Parker for the WBO heavyweight title in May 2017, losing a unanimous decision in a game effort. In his most recent bout, he pushed unbeaten prospect Nathan Gorman the 12-round distance in a losing effort.

In other action live on ESPN+:

Liam “The Machine” Williams (19-2-1, 14 KOs) will make the first defense of his British middleweight title against “Smokin” Joe Mullender (11-2, 5 KOs). Williams won the title on Dec. 22 with a thrilling 10th-round TKO over Mark Heffron.

British welterweight champion Johnny “The Pexican” Garton (23-1-1, 10 KOs) will make the first defense of his title against Chris Jenkins (20-3-2, 8 KOs).

Hamzah Sheeraz (6-0, 2 KOs) will take on Rod Douglas Jr. (2-1, 0 KOs) in a super welterweight tilt scheduled for six rounds.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.espnplus.com.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.

TRAVIS REEVES will be motivated by his trainer Hasim Rahman’s shock win against Lennox Lewis when he faces Anthony Yarde.

Rahman caused one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets when he became IBF and WBC champion back in April 2000, knocking out Lewis in five rounds.

Reeves (17-3-2) will attempt to cause his own stunner when he challenges Yarde (17-0) for the Ilford man’s WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8, live on BT Sport.

He believes Rahman’s stunning win and his tough Baltimore boxing roots will play their part when he faces Yarde in only the second professional boxing show at the famous venue in more than 20 years.

Reeves said: “Look at Hasim Rahman when he beat Lennox Lewis. Like him, I am coming to win.

“You look at the fighter who have come out of Baltimore like Gervonta Davis, Jarrett Hurd, Vincent Pettway and Hasim Rahman.

“We are just a different breed and we do not come to lay down. Win, lose or draw you are going to know we’re there.

“I can’t give you too much, but wait and see what I have got. It is definitely going to be an exciting fight.

“I am not coming over the start a circus when I meet Anthony at a press conference. I am coming over there to fight, and win.”

Besides having Rahman in his corner, Reeves is also trained by Vernon Mason who ironically fought John H Stracey at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974.

Reeves added: “I follow boxing and London has played a big part in the history of the sport. I can’t wait to put on a show for fans there.

“Let us see what Anthony Yarde has got on March 8.”

Yarde’s WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title defence against Reeves takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8, live on BT Sport. Daniel Dubois v Razvan Cojanu and Johnny Garton defends his British welterweight title against Chris Jenkins on a huge night of boxing that also includes the British middleweight title clash between Liam Williams and Joe Mullender. Also on the bills is unbeaten featherweight Lucien Reid, who takes on his toughest test to date against Birmingham’s Indi Sangha, while unbeaten prospects Hamza Sheeraz, Denzel Bentley, Jake Pettitt, James Branch jr and Harvey Horn feature on the show.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via www.RoyalAlbertHall.com

TICKETS START FROM £40

GRAND TIER: £100

LOGGIA: £100

SECOND TIER: £75

CONFIDENT American Travis Reeves has hammered Anthony Yarde telling the British hope: You’ve fought nobody.

Reeves (17-3-2) challenges Yarde for the Ilford man’s WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8, live on BT Sport.

Speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Boxing Podcast’, available to download on Wednesday, Baltimore’s Reeves affirms his belief he is levels above Yarde’s previous opponents and insists: “I am not worried about Yarde.

“From a fans perspective, everyone has got caught up in the hype, but most of those guys he fought, they were nobodies.

“Why wouldn’t I be the man to beat Anthony? I have got the skills and faced people like him already, but feel he hasn’t faced anyone like me.

“I feel that every fighter Anthony has beaten I would have knocked out.

“That is why I am not overly concerned or worried about him. I would have done the same thing to the guys he fought.

“I understand the hype that they have to present when they are building up a guy. Yarde just happens to be with the right people at the right time.

“If you’re not at the fight, tune in. I am not coming to lay down. He is in for a fight.”

There is talk of Yarde (17-0) challenging WBO champion Sergey Kovalev later this year, but Reeves warned: “He is out of place stepping up to Kovalev right now and he definitely doesn’t need to overlook me.”

Reeves says that twice previously he had accepted an offer to fight Yarde, but claims his rival’s manager and trainer Tunde Ajayi had refused the fight.

He explained: “All I know about Anthony is that we were scheduled to fight two times before, but the fight never took place for some reason.

“Frank wanted this fight to happen before, but I guess his trainer and manager didn’t feel the fight was appropriate at the time. His trainer knows that Anthony is in for a fight.

“Being a fighter I am not going to criticise Anthony because we are fighters who come to fight whoever is put in front of you.”

Yarde’s WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title defence against Reeves takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8, live on BT Sport. Daniel Dubois v Razvan Cojanu and Johnny Garton defends his British welterweight title against Chris Jenkins on a huge night of boxing that also includes the British middleweight title clash between Liam Williams and Joe Mullender. Also on the bills is unbeaten featherweight Lucien Reid, who takes on his toughest test to date against Birmingham’s Indi Sangha, while unbeaten prospects Hamza Sheeraz, Denzel Bentley, Jake Pettitt, James Branch jr and Harvey Horn feature on the show.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via RoyalAlbertHall.com

TICKETS START FROM £40

GRAND TIER: £100

LOGGIA: £100

SECOND TIER: £75

Due to multiple injuries resulting to a number of fight cancellations, Queensberry Promotions have taken the decision to reschedule our upcoming Morningside Leicester arena show for March 23rd.

Leicester’s British super featherweight and WBO Intercontinental champion Sam Bowen will be headlining the event against an opponent who will be announced at a later date.

Super Lightweight Sam Maxwell’s WBO European title challenge against Spaniard Kelvin Dotel, Heavyweight prospect Nathan Gorman and local Leicester fighters Lyon Woodstock and CJ Challenger will also be fighting on the show on March 23rd.

Tickets already purchased for the event will still be valid for March 23rd. Tickets are available from £40 and are on sale NOW via Eventbrite.

Formerly scheduled to fight in Leicester, Anthony Yarde’s contest against Baltimore boxer Travis Reeves will now take place on Friday 8th March at the Royal Albert Hall to replace Nicola Adams’ world title challenge against Mexico’s WBO World Flyweight champion, Arely Mucino.

Adams has unfortunately picked up an injury during her preparations for the contest, ruling the double Olympic champion out from fighting on March 8th.

The world title bout will be rescheduled to take place later in the year.

Championship boxing at the iconic Royal Albert Hall is back on Friday 8th March and will see Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois face Romania’s former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu.

It will be England vs Wales in a double British title bust-up when Cardiff’s British middleweight champion Liam Williams defends against Brentwood’s ‘Smokin’ Joe Mullender and Peckham’s British welterweight champion Johnny Garton defends his Lonsdale belt against Welshman, Chris Jenkins.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via www.RoyalAlbertHall.com

HE MAY ULTIMATELY have been denied his own piece of the action, but Anthony Yarde insists his voyage over to LA at the tail-end of last year still served as a massive inspiration to him.

The unbeaten 27-year-old light heavyweight was booked in for a slot on the Wilder-Fury undercard at the Staples Center before an enforced late change of opponent was blocked by the local commission for not meeting a deadline, despite paperwork and medicals all being completed.

It resulted in Yarde being sidelined on the big heavyweight night but, despite obvious frustration at the time, he reflects that it was far from a wasted journey.

Watching first-hand as the drama unfolded left a lasting impression on the 17-0 man, who is lodged at the top of the WBO world title waiting list.

“Most definitely,” said Yarde ahead of his return to action on February 23 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester against the American Travis Reeves. “Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder gave good accounts of themselves and the fight lived up to the hype and expectation.

“You saw Tyson on his back and how he got up from those shots in the 12th showed his will, his spirit and his mentality. All round it was a fantastic event.”

Yarde admits that being in attendance led to him visualising himself being the headline attraction of such a colossal occasion that was broadcast across the globe.

“All the time, even when I used to go to Floyd’s (Mayweather jr) fights I had it in my head, even when I watch big fights on TV. Sometimes I am not even looking at the fight, I am looking at the crowd behind, thinking this is the kind of atmosphere and occasion I want to be involved in or part of.

“These things will always be an inspiration and motivation.”

Meanwhile, Yarde went on to reveal that the continual social media scrutiny of his development as a contender and the opponents he has overcome to date does not deter him in any way from the mission mapped out for him.

“It has always been water off a duck’s back,” he pointed out. “I see as when you are doing well people always want to see you do better, when you are doing ok people want to give you a little push and when you are doing bad people always give you that big push.

“It goes in stages and when you are doing very well people will try and bring you down. That is just how it goes.

“Right now I feel I am in a position where the naysayers – people who weren’t really on your side from the beginning – completely turn against you and say you are fighting nobodies.

“I am fighting people with good records but, because they don’t know the name of the person, critics are not best pleased. You can’t really focus on them really.”

Yarde does acknowledge, however, that public demand for him to be plunged into the deeper waters of the division could be construed as a compliment and a sign that people recognise his potential.

“Most definitely, I’ve always taken it as a compliment and believe that if I wasn’t doing well, nobody would care. I would be on the same level as the people they say I am fighting.

“Because I have been doing well people feel like I am at world title level already and that for me is a big compliment.”

Anthony Yarde defending his WBO Intercontinental title against Travis Reeves co-headlines at the Morningside Arena in Leicester with British Super Featherweight Champion Sam Bowen’s return to action. Also on the bill, super lightweight Sam Maxwell bids for his first title against the Spaniard Kelvin Dotel with the WBO European belt at stake, while local fighters CJ Challenger and Kyle Haywood are set to battle for the vacant Midlands Area super welterweight title. Nathan Gorman, Lyon Woodstock, Ryan Garner, Willie Hutchinson, Tommy Fury, Ryan Hatton and Mark Chamberlain also feature on the card.

Tickets are available from £40 are on sale NOW via Eventbrite

BALTIMORE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT Travis Reeves will now be in the opposite corner to Anthony Yarde at the Morningside Arena in Leicester on February 23 after original opponent Mehdi Amar was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Reeves, 17-3-2, has suffered only one defeat in his last 17 fights in a challenge for the IBO world title against Karo Murat and last fought in January at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he recorded a unanimous points victory over Lanell Bellows.

With former European champion Amar not in a position to travel, Reeves will provide the next test on the journey to the top for Yarde, who will have his 18th professional fight in Leicester.

The 27-year-old has quickly switched his attention to the new challenge to be put in front of him.

“Injuries are unfortunately an unavoidable part of boxing and it is just the nature of the business,” reasoned the WBO Intercontinental champion.

“There is nothing anybody can do about it and I am just happy that a good replacement has been lined up for me.

“I have still got a job to do and I intend to put on a show in Leicester. Every fight and every win is important for me because everybody knows what is planned for me this year and I have got to move from strength to strength with no mistakes.

“Sergey Kovalev regained the WBO world title over the weekend with a strong performance but, as far as I am concerned, him holding the belt is just a temporary arrangement and it will be in my hands before too long.

“My time is coming but the next fight is always the most important and, for now, my focus is just on getting the job done in Leicester.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “It is always a shame when you lose a good opponent, but we have a more than capable replacement in Travis Reeves, who has been active and is on a good run of form.

“This fight is about Anthony making a case for a world title shot and showing us all that he is ready to take the next big step. The light heavyweight division is right up there with the strongest in world boxing and Anthony is in a great position to make his entry into the elite and I firmly believe he has got what it takes.”

Anthony Yarde’s defence of his WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title against Travis Reeves at the Morningside Arena shares top billing with British super featherweight champion Sam ‘Bullet’ Bowen. Local fighters CJ Challenger and Kyle Haywood do battle for the vacant Midlands Area super welterweight title, with Nathan Gorman, Lyon Woodstock, Ryan Garner, Willy Hutchinson, Tommy Fury, Ryan Hatton and Mark Chamberlain also featuring on the card.

Tickets are available from £40 are on sale NOW via Eventbrite

ANTHONY YARDE BELIEVES he is rapidly closing in on a shot at a light heavyweight world title.

The charismatic 27-year-old, who carries explosive speed and power, faces his latest and most challenging audition yet against former European champion Mehdi Amar at the Morningside Arena in Leicester on February 23, live on BT Sport.

An impressive victory over an opponent who has suffered only one early finish – in his fourth fight due to injury – and was only defeated on points by the formidable now world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk last year, will likely lead the WBO towards mandating the 17-0 Yarde to challenge the winner of this weekend’s rematch between Eleider Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev.

Yarde, who has been happy to bide his time up to now, suspects himself that his moment of world title truth is looming closer.

“I have said to myself when the time comes I have got to be ready,” said the WBO Intercontinental champion. “Sometimes they say it is energy, that you can feel things and I can feel it getting closer so I am pushing myself to the limit, literally, in trying to become a better fighter.

“I am trying to digest information in the best way I can, I am trying to become a better technical fighter who is more explosive, more powerful, more relaxed. Every aspect I am trying to work on.

“I said it right from the start of my career, I am not really training for now, I am training for the future.”

Yarde, along with his trainer-manager Tunde Ajayi, undertook a scouting mission back in August for the original Kovalev-Alvarez encounter in Atlantic City and witnessed first-hand the toppling of the Russian known as Krusher.

He views targeting the winner of the sequel as a logical sequence of events.

“Most definitely,” added the strapping six footer. “These are the world champions and I’ve always said it doesn’t matter who the champion is, I have just got to be ready for when I get to that stage. I am very nearly at that stage now, I am ranked No.1 by the WBO and No.8 in the world by BoxRec, so that is a very big position – top ten in the world after 17 fights.

“So it shows I am doing something right and I’ve just got to keep working hard.”

So will Yarde, who doesn’t study boxing religiously, be tuning into BoxNation to see if Kovalev can recapture former glory against Alvarez?

“I might watch Alvarez-Kovalev, but I won’t be watching it to see what they are doing because I try not to watch my opponents to see what they are doing well.

“If you consistently watch a possible opponent you start to worry about what they do well. I just need to worry about what I do. I’ve seen Kovalev fight a few times – before I was even a professional – so I know what he is about and I know he is slowing down, although he has still got the power, obviously.

“But until I am booked to fight these guys I don’t need to pay them any attention.”

Anthony Yarde’s defence of his WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title against Mehdi Amar at the Morningside Arena shares top billing with the British super featherweight champion Sam ‘Bullet’ Bowen. Local fighters CJ Challenger and Kyle Haywood do battle for the vacant Midlands Area super welterweight title, with Nathan Gorman, Lyon Woodstock, Ryan Garner, Willy Hutchinson, Tommy Fury, Ryan Hatton and Mark Chamberlain also featuring on the card.

Tickets are available from £40 are on sale NOW via Eventbrite

ANTHONY YARDE WILL face his toughest assignment to date when he takes on former European champion Mehdi Amar at the Morningside Arena in Leicester on February 23, live on BT Sport.

The 35-6-2 Frenchman, who hails from Marseille, has previously won the EBU light heavyweight belt, defeating Serhiy Demchenko before surrendering the title on German soil on points to former world super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz.

Amar, who has been stopped only once in 2012, moved on to challenge for the WBC Interim world light heavyweight title against the formidable Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk – recent conqueror of Adonis Stevenson with a perfect 16-0 record – in March of 2018 at Madison Square Garden.

Amar was defeated over the 12 round distance but proved his credentials in operating at the highest level in an ultra-competitive weight division.

The 36-year-old, who made his debut in late 2007, is a vastly experienced campaigner with 267 rounds under his belt across his 43 professional fights.

Yarde, by comparison, has clocked up just 46 rounds in his 17 fights so far, winning the Southern Area, WBO European and WBO Intercontinental titles along the way, preparing for future fights that will rubber stamp his star quality.

The 27-year-old’s bludgeoning power and blistering speed has seen to it that only one – in his second fight as a pro – of his opponents has heard the final bell, resulting in him being ranked No.1 contender in the WBO rankings.

“I am aiming for big things this year and it starts here,” stated Yarde. “Amar possesses all the experience and know-how of operating at a high level, winning European titles and fighting some of the best in the division.

“He proved his durability and toughness by going the full 12 rounds with Gvozdyk and the only other two people to do that did it in six round fights.

“It is the perfect test for me at this stage of my own development and I am looking forward to making a big statement in Leicester.”

Yarde’s clash with Amar at the Morningside Arena shares top billing with the British super featherweight title showdown between the champion Sam ‘Bullet’ Bowen from Ibstock in Leicestershire and Ronnie ‘The Shark’ Clark from Dundee. Local fighters CJ Challenger and Kyle Haywood do battle for the vacant Midlands Area super welterweight title, with Nathan Gorman, Lyon Woodstock, Ryan Garner, Willie Hutchinson, Tommy Fury, Ryan Hatton and Mark Chamberlain also featuring on the card.

Tickets are available from £40 are on sale NOW via Eventbrite

WITH ALL THE talk doing the rounds concerning the explosive British light heavyweights – namely Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi – there is another who feels it is high time he too was added to the conversation.

Lyndon Arthur has amassed a record of 13-0 (10KOs) without too much fanfare to date and tends to be omitted from speculation regarding potential domestic dust-ups. He now wants in on the big fight gossip.

“I’ve been under the radar and it’s been working well while I’ve been learning my craft as a professional,” accepted ‘King Arthur’, a former Team GB standout amateur.

“It is getting to the stage now where we have to start making a bit of noise and have to start letting people know that I am not just a prospect. I am trying to be someone good in this division.

“My pedigree as an amateur was decent and as a pro I am doing quite well with 13 fights and ten knockouts.

“My name should be up there and it will be soon,” he insisted, adding that he would relish encounters with the likes of Yarde and Buatsi sometime soon, once he is up to ten round status.

“Of course, because when two British fighters get thrown in with a bit of needle it always makes for a great fight, so of course I want my name in there.

“If I keep winning and everyone else does then it is inevitable these fights will happen.

“I believe I am on a par with them and I believe with the right fights and a little bit more experience I will be up there. I need to get in a ten round fight because that is the only thing they have got on me now, being in the ten round camps. That is it.

“When I get to that there is no difference.”

TORONTO (December 7, 2018) — Former British light heavyweight champion Hosea Burton has never been one to duck a fight. In fact, he’s looking for a fight.

Burton has made his intentions known, calling out undefeated Anthony Yarde, man to man, to his face. The two recently encountered one another during Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight week in Los Angeles, California, where Burton was on-hand to support his cousin, Fury.

“Let’s make the fight happen,” Burton told Yarde. “We’re both excited about it. They say I’m not up to you, but let’s get it going man.”

Burton has gone undefeated for two years, since suffering his lone career defeat at the hands of Frank Buglioni, a fight in which he was winning prior to a final round stoppage. Buglioni has recently retired from the sport, leaving Burton to set his sights on Yarde, rather than avenging his defeat first.

Yarde recently scored a knockout victory over Walter Sequeira, October 20 in Brentwood, improving his record to 17-0 with 16 knockouts.

Burton, however, hasn’t been impressed.

“If he’s six foot, I must be six foot nine, because he’s a lot shorter than that,” Burton said of Yarde’s stature. “I would be his first live opponent. Let’s get it on.”

Yarde’s world ranking would play well into Burton’s plans in 2019, which include fighting for a world title after recapturing his domestic gold.

“This would be one of the biggest domestic light heavyweight fights in UK history. Everyone is already placing Yarde amongst the world’s best, but the fact is, he has to get past Hosea,” noted Adam Harris of Athlete Development and Management. “We believe Hosea is the one who’s ready to go after a world title. Let’s have it out and find out who’s right.”

Burton also plans on showcasing his skills in Canada in the new year, following in the footsteps of his cousin Tyson, the lineal heavyweight champion of the world. Both Tyson and his cousin, Hughie Fury, fought in Canada early in their pro careers, and have held training camps in the Great White North as well.

“Some of the best in the world have been coming to Canada to accelerate their careers,” Harris noted, “including Billy Joe Saunders before his most recent fights and, of course, Tyson in the past. We have a special relationship with the country, and the fight scene in Toronto is booming in a way we’ve never seen before. We have no doubt Hosea will be appreciated and find plenty of competition north of the border.”

Light Heavyweight prospect Lyndon Arthur believes it is only a matter of time before he begins mixing it with his domestic rivals; also stating he’s the better fighter out of him and stablemate, Anthony Yarde and more than willing to prove it in 2019.

‘King Arthur’ has been plying his trade out of the spotlight and on the small hall scene so far in his young career.

The Mancunian has shown he can certainly pack a punch with nine stoppage victories from his unblemished 12-0 record to date.

Fight number thirteen will take place on the undercard of a big night of boxing in Arthur’s home city of Manchester when Josh Warrington when he defends his world title against Carl Frampton on December 22nd.

Fully confident he will claim another victory in December, Arthur will have his sights specifically set on Anthony Yarde for 2019.

“He’s going to have to [learn my name], he’s the one making all the noise, he’s with Frank Warren, I’m with Frank Warren also, so that is a fight I’ll be looking for.

“I rate him, I’m not taking anything away from him, but I just think that I’m better.” stated 27-year-old.

The light heavyweight scene in Britain is rich in talent. Along with Anthony Yarde, British champion Callum Johnson and 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi are also potential opponents in which Lyndon Arthur believes he is more than capable in getting the better of if they were to fight.

“I’m under the radar but I’m just doing what needs to be done and I’m sure soon enough you’ll be mentioning my name up there with those that have been mentioned already.

“I believe I would beat them. It’s inevitable that these fights will happen. British fights are the best fights and if I keep winning and they keep winning, it’s bound to happen.

IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. Mark Heffron and Liam Williams contest the vacant British middleweight title and Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) takes on former commonwealth champion Jason Cunningham (24-5). In a step up, Nathan Gorman puts his undefeated record and WBC International Silver Heavyweight Title on the line against former World Title challenger Alex Leapai.

Elsewhere on the bill. world flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0) return to action. Manchester’s 12-0 Light Heavyweight Lyndon Arthur and 7-0 Darlington middleweight Troy Williamson also return.

Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.

Tickets available via Manchester Arena.

ANTHONY YARDE HAS landed himself a spot on the biggest night of boxing in 2018, with the self-styled ‘Beast from the East’ set to fight on the huge Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury card at the Staples Center on December 1.

The 17-0 (16KOs) WBO Intercontinental and European champion will have his 18th professional contest in Los Angeles on the undercard of the huge heavyweight collision between the WBC world champion and the unbeaten lineal champion of the division.

It will represent a second stint of Stateside experience for the explosive Yarde, following on from his 2016 venture to the AT&T Stadium in Texas where he bludgeoned Rayford Johnson in the first round on the night of Liam Smith’s defence of his WBO world super welterweight title against Saul Alvarez.

“I’ve experienced the fight scene in the USA before and it is something I cannot wait to sample it again,” commented Yarde. “To be a part of such a huge occasion really will be something else and it will only inspire me to create nights like this for myself in the future.

“These are the events you can only dream of being a part of and I would like to thank Frank (Warren) and my manager Tunde Ajayi for making it possible. I am looking forward to showcasing my talents to the American public and this sort of exposure can only help me for when the time is right for me to be challenging for and winning world titles.”

Tunde Ajayi added: “Myself and Anthony have worked tremendously hard and it is a privilege and honour to be involved in the biggest card in boxing, period.

“I just feel that it is a position we have both worked hard for and it just shows you that if you put one in you get one back and if you put two in you get two back. We’ve put a lot into the sport since before Anthony came into professional boxing and from that point to where we are now has been constant work.

“I just feel that his hard work warrants being involved on such a great card.”

Anthony Yarde stopped Walter Sequeira in round four of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Yarde scored three knockdowns, and the nout was stopped at 2:14 of round four.

Yarde, 173 1/2 lbs is 17-0 with 16 knockouts. Sequieira, 174 1/4 lbs is 20-5.

Joe Mullender stopped Ben Capps in round seven of their scheduled ten-round super middleweight fight.

Mullender dropped Capps with a right hand in round seven. Moments later, it was a body shot that sent Capps down, and the fight was over at 1:36.

Mullender, 160 lbs is now 11-2 with five knockouts. Capps is 15-5-2.

Johnny Garton stopped former world title challenger Gary Corocoran in round 11 of a scheduled 12 round welterweight bout.

The fight had plenty of back and forth action throughout the bout.

In round three, Garton was cut under the right eye. The cut got worse and blood streamed down and covered the face of Garton.

In round 11, Garton landed a hard right hand that staggered Corocoan back to the ropes. Garton leveled Corocoan with hard shots, and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds.

Garton 146 lbs is now 23-1-1 with 10 knockouts. Corcoran, 146 lbs is now 18-3.

In a battle of undefeated super middlewights, Zak Chelli won a eight-round decision over Umar Sadiq

In round six, Cehlli dropped Sadiq with a hard right hand. Sadiq made a furious rally in the final round, and bloodied the nose of Chelli.

Chelli won by a score of 77-74, and is now 5-0. Sadiq is 3-1.

Nathan Gorman decisioned Kamil Sokolowski in a heavyweight bout.

Gorman, 255 lbs won by a score of 79-73 and is now 14-0. Sokolowski is 5-13-2.

Hamzah Sheerez won a four-round decision over Zygimantas Butkevicius in a super welterweight bout.

Sheerez won by a score of 40-36, and is now 5-0. Butkevicius is 1-14.

(Oct. 18, 2018) — One of the heaviest hitters in the light heavyweight division, Anthony Yarde, will play the role of headliner on Saturday when he defends the WBO Intercontinental title against Walter Gabriel Sequeira at the Brentwood Centre in Brentwood, England. Yarde-Sequeira highlights a stacked card of boxing that will stream live in the United States beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN + — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

“I could fight for a world title and win it, but it is about getting to that stage and staying there,” Yarde said. “I had 12 amateur fights and just 16 professional fights, so I am inexperienced. I want 10 years in boxing and I have been professional for three years, so with seven years left, there is no rush.”

In one of the co-feature bouts, former world title challenger Gary Corcoran (18-2, 8 KOs) will battle Johnny Garton (22-1-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant British welterweight title. Corcoran, who fought then-champion Jeff Horn for the WBO welterweight title in December of last year (losing via 11th-round TKO), rebounded with a fifth-round knockout over Victor Ray Ankrah on June 30. Garton, meanwhile, is unbeaten in his last 12 fights.

Popular British middleweight “Smokin” Joe Mullender (10-2, 4 KOs) will return to action after nearly one year away from the ring.

In a super middleweight fight, a pair of unbeatens will match up when Umar Sadiq (3-0, 1 KO) faces Zak Chelli (4-0, 2 KOs). And, in a special heavyweight attraction, Nathan Gorman (13-0, 11 KOs), will look to extend his knockout streak to five in an eight-round clash versus Kamil Sokolowski (5-12-2, 2 KOs).

Yarde (16-0, 15 KOs) has not gone the distance since his second pro fight and has 10 knockouts in the first or second round during his 14-bout knockout streak. A native of the Hackney borough of London, Yarde captured the WBO European light heavyweight crown in July 2017 with a first-round TKO against Richard Baranyi. He has a pair of seventh-round knockout wins in 2018, and in June, he became the first man to stop Dariusz Sek as a pro. Sequeira (21-4, 15 KOs) is riding a four-bout winning streak and has only been knocked out once as a professional.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.plus.espn.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusives, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ANTHONY YARDE headlines the bill at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday when he defends his WBO Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight title against Argentina’s Walter Gabriel Sequeira.

Wembley traveller Gary Corcoran and Peckham’s Johnny Garton contest the vacant British welterweight title on another top Frank Warren card, live on BT Sport.

Two of Britain’s top super-middleweight prospects Umar Sadiq and Zak Chelli meet over eight rounds. Chelli won a toss of the coin to be in the home corner.

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nathan Gorman is also in action.

Here are a selection of quotes from yesterday’s press conference.

FRANK WARREN

“This is part of Anthony’s education moving forward. I am told by his management that Walter fancies the job.

Regarding Frank Buglioni, we offered over £100,000 and he did not want to know. This is about Anthony moving up the rankings.

Johnny Garton and Gary Corcoran are two tremendous competitors and it will be something special. What you see is what you get and it will be a good fight.

Zak and Umar is a pick ‘em and both called for it. Whoever wins will go on quickly and it will not be the end for the loser.

It is tough matching Nathan up. He is one of the most underestimated boxers in Britain and one of the most improved.

The job Ricky Hatton has done is amazing.

If he keeps moving forward, we will see some fight between him and Daniel Dubois next year.

ANTHONY YARDE

I could fight for a world title and win it, but it is about getting to that stage and staying there. I had 12 amateur fights and just 16 professional fights so I am inexperienced.

I want ten years in boxing and I have been professional for three years, so with seven years left there is no rush.

My talent has to be improved in all areas. Boxing is not a sport where you can be at a low level at all.

I’m confident and when you have power like me, it relaxes your nerves.

People complain about my opponents, but Walter is ranked above every other British rival apart from Callum Johnson.

The Joshua Buatsi fight can build. If he is as confident as I am, it is a big event down the line.

WALTER GABRIEL SEQUEIRA

Anthony is a very good boxer, but I am well prepared and cancelled a fight in September to take this.

Anthony has few weaknesses, but I have got a surprise in store on Saturday.

I always face bigger men and this will not be a problem. I have experienced this.

GARY CORCORAN

I have boxed at a way higher level and I am confident of winning. I have better experience and beaten better boys, but I have to show it on the night.

I can either outbox him or have a fight. It is up to me what happens on the night. Either way I beat him.

JOHNNY GARTON

It has been a long road to become mandatory and earn my shot. I have been on small halls fighting 50-50 fights and when I have had to step up, I have won.

I didn’t think I’d make it as a pro and thought I might get to Southern Area level.

Gary is a great fighter. He is very tough and I like him, but that goes out of the window.

We are going to meet head on. To win the British title it would mean the world to me.

ZAK CHELLI

“Umar is basic and simple and like an amateur. His prime was 26 and he is now 30. He just acts like a kid.

UMAR SADIQ

I learned a lot as an amateur and boxed in Olympic Qualifiers, what did he do as an amateur?

I respect every man who will get in the ring. I see videos of him knocking grown men over, but I fail to see what he can do to me.

I am going to outbox him – simple as that.

NATHAN GORMAN

Each round I keep on learning, but winning is the main thing.

I have been sparring Hughie Fury and that is the next best thing to fighting.

Daniel Dubois did what he had to do against Kevin Johnson and got the ten rounds, but there was no offence from Johnson.

Daniel is good at the basics. I am good at the opposite and I am wrong for him. I beat him easily.

Anthony Yarde will be headlining the Brentwood Centre on October 20th when he faces Argentinian Walter Gabriel Sequeira. World title challenger Gary Corcoran and Johnny Garton will contest the vacant British welterweight title. Zak Chelli and Umar Sadiq will both be putting their young, undefeated records on the line in a super-middleweight contest. Heavyweight Nathan Gorman will also feature along with IBF European Middleweight Champion Joe Mullender on the show televised live on BT Sport.

Remaining tickets are available at the Brentwood Centre box office or via calling the Queensberry Promotions Box Office on 01992845710.