In a face-off that sometimes looked like a street fight, Artur Beterbiev beat Briton Anthony Yarde by eighth-round stoppage in London and retained his IBF (seventh title defense), WBC and WBO belts. medium-heavy.
The adopted Montrealer improved his perfect record to 19-0-0 (19 KOs) against the English contender, seven years his junior.
Marc Ramsay’s protege will now try to convince Dmitry Bivol to face him. Holder of the WBA belt, the Russian has the only major title escaping Beterbiev at 175 lbs.
Beterbiev was playing his first fight since his victory at the expense of Joe Smith Jr. by K.-O., on June 18th.
Ahead of the expected clash, Jake Paul and Tommy Fury were introduced to the crowd in the ring at Wembley Arena ahead of their February 26 fight.