His conditioning is the first one...he was looking tired by the 5th and was hardly fighting at a high pace. He needs to learn to defend against a jab, Kovalev couldn’t miss with it. I think the Eubank jr comparison is a valid one. I actually think Yarde has more skills and potential but lacks the fitness. Though both have fundamental flaws.
Footwork is a big one. When he had Kovalev hurt, if his feet were quicker he would of been more effective with his work. I know he was tired in the last few rounds but he was very ponderous coming forward, compare that to Kovalev who was able to bounce around in comparison. Good footwork is everything.
For me, might sound simple, but Yarde needs to work on general boxing skill rather than fighting scrapping. If he learned a bit of ring craft, how to control his ground without eating shots, setting up better traps, baiting his opponents he would be much better. The first thing is have him working on is his jab, which seemed non apparent last night. Nice sharp jab is 70% of what he needs to move up to the next level. I think he is easily European level but you couldn't say he's proved it yet. Once he has a decent jab he can fight at his own pace. From that point I'd teach him how to preserve energy and pace himself. Despite it being a saving grace for him, trying to finish kovalev was what finished him. Nearly flew out the ring when he was swinging and missing. I believe if he kept it simple, body head body head, rather than trying to knock kovs head to China he would of got the ko
Tunde Ajayi is a confidence trickster who cons fighters into thinking he's legit in the hope he will find ones with enough natural talent to get to a level where he can make money off them. Which is what he has managed to do with Yarde. Everything Yarde has done so far is very much in spite of Tunde Ajayi, not becasue of him. Just read his System9 bollox. It's clearly concocted by someone who hasn't got a clue what they are doing and you would probably learn more by doing boxercise with middle aged women at your local community gym.
I actually think he has all the ability, and don't think theres anything he can't do, he just needs to learn when to do what. Also could do with improving his stamina obviously, maybe dropping some of that excess muscle could help with that. A really top class trainer could do wonders with him I reckon.
I would agree with this. Does anyone remember Cotto v Pacquiao? Do you remember the advice Cotto was getting between rounds? 'Fight hard! We believe in you!' If that's what you're getting between rounds (not dissimilar to Tunde last night) then what beneficial tactical instruction have you been getting in camp? Another thing about Yarde's stamina. If anyone follows him on social media then you might remember that he was in Vegas about 4-5 weeks ago. Whilst I'm sure he was working out there, there were loads of videos of him out at concerts, his mates all drinking etc. 5 weeks out from a 12 round fight with the Krusher, that's poor prep, no matter how hard you actually work in the gym.
I don't know much about Anthony's parents but he mentioned that his Dad was not around much, if at all when he was growing up. When this happens, young men often gravitate to Father figures and he was the only one who was loyal and stayed with Tunde when he signed to him as both trainer and manager. When you do grow up, you often discover that some of the things your parents taught you were not correct, or at the least, were flawed. Anthony, for all of his physical abilities, is still just a kid. He's done well and he threw his all in and came up only a bit short. I have much less respect for Tunde. All of this posturing, calling himself genius, eyeballing the other fighter at the weigh in, it has to stop. I'm not saying Yarde and Tunde should separate, as clearly Tunde is a major piece in Anthony's life, but they both need some perspective.
A lot of credit given to Yarde on Twitter by the likes of Hearn, Andre Ward and Kovalev himself. He landed more punches on Kovalev than anyone else ever has. It's obvious to all what needs to be done and if Tunde can't see what the rest of us see he needs sacking. And as I said yesterday, if Yarde didn't spar for any other reason than being injured Tunde needs sacking immediately.
Stylistically, he proper reminds me of Eubank Jn. The way he throws the lead left hook and doesn’t really know how to throw or use the jab, it’s uncanny. He has the physical attributes, heart, chin and attitude to improve massively. He could even drop some of that muscle mass without having to compromise with his power. I think he could really develop into a pretty decent fighter but it all depends on whether he stays with Tunde. If he stays with Tunde, he will stay at a similar technical level to a Ohara Davies type fighter.
Agree mate - hopefully he does not do a David Price and wait until his career is on its last legs before learning to jab etc. Great to see Price with a proper jab at last against Allen
I was quite impressed actually, as I have stated in another thread I haven't really watched him due to the threads on here regarding him. I reserved Judgement, but I will say he should hold his head very high, and his team and not change "Anything". Looking forward to see how he progresses now, and hopefully we see him looking a little loose...
