Yarde took one of the worst beatings I've seen in a long time

I wouldn't say it was a terrible beating. Yarde didn't embarras himself at all, he just wasn't good enough to beat Kovalev. But I think Yarde showed he can actually fight. He was possibly another 3 or 4 more punches away from winning the fight in the 8th round. I also think the no sparring in the camp was detrimental. Maybe Yarde wouldn't have gassed so bad in the championship rounds if he had more experience of how to pace himself over a long fight. Maybe his muscle bound physique played it's part in him gassing too. Muscles cause fatigue.

It was a good fight and it takes 2 to make a good fight. Yarde done ok considering how inexperienced he is. Lots of room for improvement, and improve he will I think. Yarde can come again. Lions.

 

It would have to be Yarde v AJ to compare to the Brook v GGG analogy

 

I don't but if you can find a replay of the ESPN coverage it's on there, they prob showed more of kov than yardes corner so did you hear Tunde give any technical advice?

 

Yarde gained my respect last night and should have gained everyone else’s too. He’s obviously not on Kovalev’s level but he tried his hardest and well done to him.

 

Very,very close to stopping kov in the 7th. I wouldn't call that completely outclassed personally. Kov is better, we all knew that, but yarde gave a good account of himself

 

Good point. Tunde was giving words of encouragement but no tactical advice. I don't think he hardly said a word to him till the 4yh or 5th. In the knockdown round and the round after, he should of been told to tap some light punches to kov to get him to bring his hands up and don't waste any energy doing it, create some openings and fire the power shots in.

Overall yarde did show me a little . than I expected from him but saying that, it was an ageing kov in there, where it looks as tho, the years where we've heard of his drinking antics are starting to catch up. By the 7th round kov was knackered but the fact that yarde didn't have the experience of how to fight tactically from that point let kov off the hook, and gave him enough time to get his 2nd wind.
A good idea now would be to drop him down to 10rds with an international belt and put him in with real lhws that can move and box, make him work and have to think more.
I do like yarde and with the right trainer he has got what it takes to make it all the way but tunde is accountable here. Yarde should move on now.

 

Without that 8th round was it really too dissimilar?

 

Seems like they rely on what they’ve done in training, coupled with his natural ability to adapt and react to whatever comes his way in the ring. In other words - he’s on his own fight night. They kept saying they don’t even watch videos of fighters pre-fight. I’m no trainer, but I would have thought at this level, you should know your opponent inside out?
Having said all that - what a performance - showed real courage, & considering where he comes from (with no amateur pedigree), you have to say his trainers done a great job getting him this far so quickly.

 

He showed bravery and a good chin, which I wasn’t expecting, but he was schooled in there. The IQ just isn’t there, he showed he had power to change a fight, but it left him completely spent. That was his best chance to win a world title, because I can’t see it happening against any of the fighters at the top atm, or against other prospects

 

Why did he not spar?

 

Yes it's a completely different fight.

Dave Allen and Darren Barker are embarrassments, they should both retire.

 

I can't quite remember the particular soundbite that Tunde used to explain that one. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me.

 

danielson didn't spar in karate kid because mr. miyagi gave more experience than any opponent could.

 

Lions don't spar apparently!

 

LOL Yarde does spar, I've heard from deep sources that he spars behind closed doors, no recording allowed etc.

How would someone get to 18-0 and last 11 rounds with Kovalev without sparring? Would have to be the most naturally talented boxer of all time