The 175-pound showdown will probably be proven on BT Sport within the UK and live on ESPN+ within the U.S.
London requires the light-heavyweight king. WBC, WBO and IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev will defend his belts in opposition to big-punching British challenger Anthony Yarde on the OVO Area Wembley on Saturday, January 28.
The WBO No.1 contender will get his shot on the Montreal-based Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), boxing’s solely world champion with a 100% knockout ratio. He will probably be combating professionally in the UK for the primary time, with the extremely embellished former newbie having fought in London on the 2012 Olympic Video games.
Promoted by Frank Warren and Queensberry, in affiliation with Prime Rank, this large 175-pound showdown will probably be proven solely on BT Sport within the UK and streaming dwell and unique on ESPN+ within the U.S.
Tickets for Beterbiev vs Yarde at The O2 on Saturday 28 January 2023 go on basic sale at 11am on Thursday 24 November from AXS.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.
“This may undoubtedly be the largest problem of Anthony’s profession to this point, and we’ve got made positive he’ll get one of the best circumstances attainable by securing him dwelling benefit,” stated Yarde’s promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry. “It will be an enormous event on the OVO Area Wembley, which is identical venue the place Anthony made his skilled debut in Might 2015.
“After all, we all know a fantastic champion like Beterbiev has no fears of travelling and just about all of his largest wins have come exterior his now dwelling nation of Canada. Boxing is all about timing, and we hope the time is correct for Anthony to fulfil his large potential and pull off what can be one of many largest wins by a British fighter.
“That is going to be a spectacular present staged together with our mates at Prime Rank, and I’m positive it’s an occasion the general public will get behind in large numbers to help Anthony’s try to realize his dream.”
“This can be a matchup between two of essentially the most devastating gentle heavyweight punchers, and I sit up for the nice Artur Beterbiev showcasing his prodigious expertise for the unimaginable UK followers,” stated Prime Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Anthony Yarde was ringside for Artur’s final combat, and he actually doesn’t lack confidence. He’s a harmful fighter, and I do know Artur will probably be switched on for one of many hardest bouts of his illustrious profession.”
Beterbiev received his first world title in November 2017 with a Twelfth-round stoppage of Enrico Koelling and defended his IBF belt on two additional events – together with in opposition to Britain’s Callum Johnson – earlier than coming into right into a unification match in opposition to WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in October 2019. Ukrainian puncher Gvozdyk, who was unbeaten on the time, was stopped within the tenth spherical.
Beterbiev defended his titles in opposition to Adam Deines and Marcus Browne forward of a three-belt unification in opposition to WBO champion Joe Smith Jr. in June at Hulu Theater Madison Sq. Backyard, the place the American was stopped in two rounds. Within the newbie ranks, Beterbiev received silver on the 2007 World Championships earlier than hanging gold on the 2009 occasion. He additionally received gold medals on the 2006 and 2010 European Championships.
“I by no means again down from a problem, and Anthony Yarde is a prime contender who requested for this combat. I sit up for combating in London for the primary time for the reason that Olympics,” Beterbiev stated. “Yarde referred to as me ‘gradual’ after my combat with Joe Smith Jr., however gradual and regular wins the race. And on January 28, I’ll win in London.”
The Wembley occasion represents a second world title try from Yarde (23-2, 22 KOs) who beforehand travelled to Chelyabinsk, Russia, to tackle the long-standing champion Sergey Kovalev, in the end being stopped within the eleventh spherical after coming near forcing a end himself within the eighth spherical. Yarde’s first title got here in combat No. 11 when he knocked out Chris Hobbs in 4 rounds for the Southern Space belt.
Yarde then fought seven consecutive fights with both the WBO European or Intercontinental belts at stake, or each, as Yarde knocked out every of these foes in seven rounds or much less.
Put up-Kovalev, Yarde continued with fights in the course of the pandemic in opposition to Dec Spelman and a home dust-up in opposition to Lyndon Arthur. Yarde dropped a break up choice in opposition to his Manchester rival, and after a swift comeback combat in Birmingham, Yarde sought redemption in opposition to Arthur. The classic Yarde returned, and he knocked out Arthur in 4 rounds to as soon as once more earn the WBO No. 1 spot.
“January 28 will probably be my evening,” stated Yarde. “My future taking part in out in my dwelling metropolis, and that is what I’ve been eager for all through my skilled profession, which began at Wembley. I received’t make any massive predictions for this combat in opposition to a powerful unified champion in Artur Beterbiev, however what I’ll say is that I’ll depart nothing to likelihood, and I’m at my finest once I combat hearth with hearth.”
Tickets for Beterbiev vs Yarde at The O2 on Saturday 28 January 2023 go on basic sale at 11am on Thursday 24 November from AXS.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.