![]() ![]() Willy Hutchinson and Karol Itauma fight for the WBO Intercontinental and WBC International light heavyweight titles respectively, with the show also featuring top prospects Charles Frankham, Umar Khan, Sean Noakes, Joshua Frankham, Khalid Ali and Tommy Fletcher. The bumper card also features the WBA world flyweight title fight between unbeaten fighters Artem Dalakian v David Jiminez. “It didn’t slow down my career in any way, shape or form, but it is why I have always been an advocate of focusing on yourself.”Īrtur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde for the WBC, WBO and IBF world light heavyweight titles takes place at the OVO Arena, Wembley on January 28, live on BT Sport. I was adamant that fight was going to happen because it was being spoken about so much and then he retired! “You don’t know how someone else’s career is going to go and you don’t know their decisions. It didn’t happen and that is why I don’t focus on anyone other than myself. “The Buglioni thing, when that was happening and people were talking about us fighting, I thought that fight was going to happen. A lot of people thought I was being silly or lying when I said I didn’t know who was on the same card as me or I didn’t know some of the guys who were in my weight class. “If I wasn’t focused on myself I don’t think I would have got here. I have surpassed some of those heights and I still have some to pass. ![]() I have always paid homage to the people who have made it to the heights I want to get to. “That shows you how focused I am on myself! Boxing is a long road and I have always been focused on myself. While his own fight might still be fresh in his mind, he was actually unaware that Saunders was not the bill-topper on his debut night. “I had my pro debut in that arena and now I am about to have my unification bout in that arena and leave as the unified champion of the world.” Those were the days of weighing in on the day and for me this is now destiny. “It does feel like it was a while ago, but that moment is very fresh in my mind. Bradley Skeete ultimately topped the bill that also included Frank Buglioni, a fighter who would later be heavily linked to fighting the explosive newcomer to the 175lbs scene. Thinking back to that May evening back in 2015 when Yarde was one of the early birds on a long card that was only depleted by the withdrawal of Billy Joe Saunders from headline action. “I like being in that position at this stage of my career and I just feel like January 28 is going to be a very special night for me.” My best performances have always been when I have been the underdog. “You know what, I watched boxing even before I started and I like to watch the big moments and how they all come around. “I am definitely happy that I have finally got to this stage and, in my mind, I have got to bring to reality where I am going afterwards as well. “I’m relaxed, I’m good and it is the biggest fight of my career,” said the 31-year-old, who happily acknowledges the odds will not fall in his favour going into battle against an 18-0 champion with 18 KOs. Sure of himself, knowing what he is coming up against and utterly convinced he will be going home with the bounty. Getting ready for his triple assault on world light heavyweight honours within the confines of the Box Up Crime gym in the heart of Ilford, Yarde cuts a contented figure. On January 28, live on BT Sport, at the newly titled OVO Arena, Wembley, Yarde goes up against the formidable unified world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev for three belts. He lasted 15 seconds into the second round. On the 9th of May in 2015, Mitch Mitchell was in the opposite corner at what was formerly known as Wembley Arena. Anthony Yarde is approaching what he calls ‘the biggest fight of his career’ on January 28 at the venue where it all began for him as a professional back in 2015.
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