Anthony Yarde Knocks Out Stefani Koykov, Sets Artur Beterbiev Bout
Yarde-Beterbiev is set to happen in January.
Anthony Yarde pulled off a big win on Saturday night against Stefani Koykov, winning the bout by third-round knockout.
According to Boxing Scene, Yarde is now booked for his second light heavyweight title shot against unbeaten IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Beterbiev.
Russian’s Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs) and England’s Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) will box on January 28 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
Germany’s Koykov (14-1, 8 KOs) has an impressive professional record, but he was an underdog walking into the contest against the top contender.
This is mainly because he hasn’t fought anyone yet who had the same fighting IQ and calibre as Yarde. Koykov’s past three opponents had a combined record of 45-75-1 before the 30-year-old squashed them with ease.
Also, only three of his 14 wins have come against boxers that bear winning records (a combined 8-2).
As for Yarde, he became the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt that Beterbiev clinched from Joe Smith Jr. He stopped Smith Jr. in the second round of their 175-pound title unification fight in June in New York, not to forget that he dropped Smith thrice before their 12-round bout was stopped at 2:19 of the second round.