The Ring’s No. 8 light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde ticked over earlier than his 2023 London date with unified champion Artur Beterbiev with a three-round win over Stefani Koykov.
Yarde, who weighed 4 kilos over the 175lbs restrict, forward of the struggle on the Telford Worldwide Centre, was in management early, touchdown a superb proper uppercut within the first and a pleasant proper hand moments later. He managed the space and dictated the tempo, and though Yarde was caught with the occasional counter, he was in a position to field effectively inside himself.
Koykov was recreation however closely outgunned. Halfway by way of the second, Yarde began landed to the physique and that appeared to have his challenger unravelling. Yarde was touchdown with lead let hooks and the hole at school was appreciable.
The third was little greater than goal apply. Yarde went by way of the gears and Koykov couldn’t come near hanging with him. The Londoner confirmed nice selection in his assault and persistence in his assault, beating his opponent as much as the pinnacle and physique earlier than a proper hook-right uppercut precipitated Koykov to drop and, bleeding by his left eye, he didn’t beat the rely.
Germany-based Bulgarian Koykov is now 14-2. Yarde, aged 31, improves to 23-2 however is aware of issues will probably be a lot harder subsequent time.
WBO obligatory Yarde will now meet Beterbiev at Wembley Enviornment on January 28 and he predicted there will probably be a brand new world chief at 175.
“Once I beat him, I’ll get that spot,” mentioned Yarde.
Telford’s Liam Davies is now 13-0 and the European super-bantamweight champion after successful the vacant title in opposition to Romanian Ionut Baluta.
Davies gained by margins of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111 and was a deserved winner.
The primary spherical was vigorous, and Baluta landed a strong proper hand within the second however he was struggling to place a dent in Davies.
Baluta’s early tempo and vitality started to gradual by the fifth. To open the session there was a headclash and Baluta was minimize above his proper eye and tagged by Davies’s long-range blows because the session progressed.
The Englishman’s double jab and lengthy left hand was efficient, and he claimed Baluta when he got here too shut, making it untidy whereas proscribing Baluta’s alternatives for achievement.
Baluta is a dangerman who beat David Oliver Joyce and misplaced a majority choice to world rated contender Michael Conlan however whereas the competition was scrappy, Davies was successful rounds and Baluta didn’t have the facility to show the tide.
The truth is, it was Davies who landed a superb proper forcing Baluta again within the tenth and the Englishman’s engine confirmed no signal of faltering.
Baluta was plucky, brave and by no means gave up however was effectively overwhelmed on the playing cards. Baluta drops to 15-4.
“It’s wonderful, it’s one other step up in my profession,” mentioned Davies. “I’ve conquered Britian and Europe, now for the world.”
