It’s a massive step up, BUT I can see a way how they could win. Kovalev has been cleaned out twice already and is vulnerable to both head and body, plus he’s getting up there in age and has plenty of miles on the clock now. Let’s not forget, Both Tunde and Yarde have been out to watch the last 2 fights with Alvarez and clearly they fancy the job. Whilst, I still think Kovalev will probably win, I can definately picture a scenario were Yarde bombs him out.
Yardes power is untested. It's one thing knocking over fighters who are outside the world's top 50 to knocking out Kovalev. The likely scenario is Kovalev will walk straight through him. Not only is his power untested but so is chin and I doubt he will be as willing to pull the trigger. I really see him going the same way as Cleverly did albeit in shorter time. Wish him the best of luck regardless if he does have the balls to take the fight.
Kind of how I see it going. Alvarez won that first fight by not letting Kob establish the jab, changing levels body to head and being real sharp on the defense. That being said Kov was really starting to work him over in the 4th and was starting to bank rounds going into the 7th. It was a bit of a surprise at that point that Alvarez landed that shot. Can Yarde be that aware in defence. I've seen him take plenty of right hands but only from blown up guys or non punchers 2nd fight he kept the ear muffs on. Forgot the body work and Kov just out worked him. But Kov set the pace. He didn't go mad, just kept touching him didn't look for the KO and scored a fairly safe win in the end. There's a chance Yardes power is for real he has the frame for it but he's very bulky, can see him tiring when he isn't setting the pace. He's also tight at the weight again doesn't bode well for his first 12 rounder. Reeves got home with a few shots but just had no power. Kov isn't going to have that issue. Kovalev also has McGirt in his corner so that should give him an experienced view of whats going on through the fight. Kov stoppage in less than 6 rounds
Beating up low level smw is nothing like getting in with a true lbw who knows how to box and has been doing so at the highest level for years now. It will be too much for yarde, kov knows how to offset his power punches and will just box him off all night. I can see yarde unravling quite quickly once he realised kov has an answer for all his tricks. I noticed in yardes last fight that his stance is all shoulder on, he's trying to compensate for his height and reach, therefore getting his lead hand in a closer position to jab and hook. His 1st line of defence is the shoulder but he doesn't do it properly, he should be tying it in with short arm defence, which is the 1st line of defence and the shoulder the 2nd line, ala foreman or Floyd. Foreman uses the turtle shell and Floyd uses the Philly shell. Yarde is a variation of the Philly coffin ala broner. Once kov backs him onto the ropes he won't last long. I do like yarde, I know he can be annoying with the b.s him and tunde come out with but I wish him well. Only a shot kov, has yarde any chance of beating. Kov isn't what he was but he's far from shot.
Wow..looks like Warren is pulling the trigger. If they ask for PPV I would support the event as I appreciate the effort.
He’s either fooled us all and there’s one hell of a fighter hiding in there or BT are putting their foot down and Yarde is the sacrificial lamb.
It's got to be the latter. We all like to think we know a little bit about boxing but yarde has fought no one, spared no one and overall has no experience of fighting men two levels below kov. Yarde is going to need nerves of steel for this.
Would BT put this on PPV? Maybe link it up with Fury/Rivas. That'd be decent. Is Yarde even popular? I have no idea tbh. Not easy promoting prospects on BT.
He’s headlined Brentwood centre and royal Albert hall in the last 6 months, neither of which sold out. I can’t see it selling well on PPV but could be wrong. Yeah or doubling it up with Fury Rivas which again i can’t see selling well especially early hours.
I don’t know about his viewing figures, but Yarde has never moved tickets, but this fight would catepult him immediately into mainstream and with a decent undercard I think it would sell out the 02. They will have to pay Kovalev a lot of money so PPV is almost certain. Frank seems to have come to his senses with the stadium talk, so If he was to stick on Dubious - Gorman as chief support than that would be tremendous value IMO.
