Yarde had a nightmare last night - looked across the ring and could not see the obligatory pudding. Got a puncher's chance tonight but has a big ask trying to do a Mr T. Fury going from puddings directly to elite.
Night before Wilder-Fury I had a dream Wilder KTFO Fury in round one with the first shot of the fight!
I feel Yarde has a puncher's chance but on the outside I think he will struggle to get past Kovalev's jab, especially with his stupid defence and poor footwork. He has a better chance on the inside but I think he will get caught with something big on the outside eventually resulting in a stoppage for Kovalev. I can see Yarde catching Kovalev with something big, however (and assuming he isn't a complete fraud), I think he can win against an aging Kovalev who perhaps isn't at his absolute best. I still favour Kovalev though.
Final shout on this. I hope Yarde makes a really good account of himself and raises his profile significantly from it. He will learn a shed load from it, such as going into a light heavy fight with the mentality of a heavyweight where he thinks his power will bail him out. Power doesn’t always carry up through the levels and more seasoned fighters can take it (see Lewis Ritson). Power isn’t enough, you have to get into positions to set it up with the jab, set traps then deliver it. There’s a whole process that Kovalev’s experience & jab can negate. Ohara Davies has power, but he can’t disguise the delivery of it, and both Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall could see it coming a mile off. I hate to be negative, but it looks a similar thing with Yarde. Anyway, i’m in Tenerife and i’m off to the pub to cheer on Saints vs Warrington. Then i’ll be cheering on Yarde later on. Lions!!!!!!
Kovalev will break him down with his brilliant jab, no chance Yarde wins imo! I just can’t see it at all.
Yarde's issues going into this fight in terms of preparation for me are: -No amateur career at all -No high level hard sparring -Hasnt faced anyone in the top 50 at LHW so far in his career -Hasnt faced any punchers so far in his career -In fights has a habit of leaving his chin in the air, and doesnt execute the philly shell effectively. If Yarde beats Kovalev and is the real deal then everything that defines what it takes to make the top. Needs to be ripped up. As well as the fact that Yarde would be one of the most naturally talented fighters of all time.
I can't see past kovalev and I will be rooting for him. If yarde puts up a fight and is competitive I'll give him props.
I’m distraught that I’m gonna miss this live. Been looking forward to it since @NasalSpray broke the news.