Sports Desk
LONDON: Artur Beterbiev stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round to retain his WBO, WBC and IBF light heavyweight world titles after an all-out war on Saturday night at the OVO Arena in Wembley, London.
Yard put up a remarkable effort as both men fought brilliantly for almost eight rounds in a back-and-forth astonishing brutal battle, but the Russian-Canadian champion proved too strong for the 31-year-old British challenger in the end.
Yarde hurt Beterbiev in a stunning fifth round but was floored in the eighth by a powerful right hand from the champion. The Brit beat the count and tried to keep on fighting, but was on the end of another assault from Beterbiev when his corner pulled him out of the fight.
Beterbiev maintains 100% knockout record
Beterbiev, the unified light heavyweight champion, is now 19-0 with 19 knockouts, retaining his WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight world titles.
Despite being the defending champion, he made a quick entrance and was booed heavily as he did.
Meanwhile, the crowd greeted Yarde with a hero’s welcome as the Brit entered the arena dressed in white shorts with gold trim. He went into the contest being a huge underdog, but will see his stock rise rapidly after a spectacular performance many might have thought beyond him.
