Excellent fight, I'd make Yarde a fairly strong favourite especially if this is in the UK as I think he is far more compact, has a better defensive skill set and for me is actually the bigger puncher of the two.
Frank won't put Yarde in with anyone but Uber drivers from Telford for a while. He doesn't have any big names coming through and Yarde's history means that he fights bumz and waits for a title shot. Smith banjoes him. Big power difference.
I fancy Smith to win as well. Yarde could do with 1 more before Smith against a decent opponent but nothing that can beat him. Then Smith and then back in for a belt should he get through. I wouldn't put him in with dmith straight away.
Yarde will win by stoppage. Smith Jr effectively retired and hasn't been training since losing to Beterbiev.
I agree with this. I think it could be entertaining though. I have liked Smith since he knocked that horrible racist Hopkins out of the ring. Horrible character.
Yarde is 32 in August I don't see him coming back against limited opposition. He showed he can compete against the top level guy's like Beterbiev, Smith Jr is a good TV fight and one I favour him to win especially in the UK. Hope it gets made.
I would be very surprised if Smith Jnr is the first fight back after such a hard battle. Personally, I would perfer Frank to give him at least 2 fights this year against decent top 10-15 types such Bossell, Adam Deines, Mikhalkin etc. Assuming he comes through, then see if he can work with Arum to manoeuvre a Yarde / Smith Jnr fight for the vacant WBO if they can get Beterbiev to drop it, or he gets stripped etc early next year.
I’m not too sure about a fairly strong favourite bud, I’ve seen Smith fight in NY a few times, he is tough and I think is as good a boxer as Yarde. I was shocked and very impressed with how easily Beterbiev handled him, but as we know tactically he went about that unification completely wrong.