Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur – Who wins and why?
Just one week after the 50-50 British heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce, which the latter won by TKO, BT Sport plays host to another evenly-matched contest between Anthony Yarde (20-1, 19KOs) and Lyndon Arthur (17-0, 12KOs), from the same setting at Church House, Westminster.
'King Arthur' is defending his Commonwealth title for the second time to 'The Beast from the East' Yarde, who is slightly favoured to win despite his opponent being a former Team GB member and unbeaten pro.
It's a close call so BBN asked their panel of experts who they are tipping to win:
Bradley Rea
Unbeaten middleweight
"It’s a tough fight to call that could go so many different ways but I’m backing Lyndon to get the win.
I think Arthur has a side to him that most people haven’t seen yet and if he brings that out on Saturday it could really throw Yarde off. I’ve done a few rounds with Lyndon in the lead up to this and he’s looking really sharp so I’m going with him to surprise a few people and get the points win."
Mitch Mitchell
Retire pro boxer – fought Yarde on his pro debut
"I think Lyndon will edge it on a points decision. He's more experienced, great defence and can hit hard also.
Yarde is a slow starter, so if Arthur takes advantage of that, I think he will be off to a good start. Yarde is always very dangerous and very fit and hungry, so we will see who wants it more."
Liam Conroy
Former English light-heavyweight champion
"I think Lyndon Arthur wins on points… his jab being the key."
Johnny Greaves
Former pro boxer
"I think as long as Arthur can avoid being cut off to the ropes or corners, he can win this fight on the jab."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I think Arthur will be full of confidence and make a good fight, but I do feel Yarde, for some reason has a real heart and talent, and think he will do the job."
Paul Smith Jr
World title contender
"Lyndon Arthur's a tough kid. Probably both of them are made for each other. Arthur's got a chance of doing it. I think Yarde needs to have improved from the Sergey Kovalev ight. Arthur could beat Yarde because of the styles but I think I'd go for Yarde on points."
Mark Tibbs
Pro boxing trainer
"Lyndon's jab should get the win over Yarde. But I hope not… maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner!"
Ace Adam
Unbeaten super-middleweight
"It's a 50-50 fight. Arthur is the Commonwealth champion and Yarde is renowned for going to Germany to fight Kovalev and did amazing, came up a little bit short, but we know what he brings, he brings excitement.
Lyndon Arthur also got a good KO ratio, got a very nice jab and he's going to need it for this great 50-50 fight, can't really call it, can't write him off because he's the Commonwealth champion and can't write off Yarde either."
Jack Bradley
BBN Writer
"I have been critical of Yarde’s matchmaking in the past, which I think left him woefully unprepared for Kovalev – who was clearly on the wane at that point, though still capable of beating Yarde decisively. That fight will have taught him so much, but I don’t harbour a lot of belief that his team will have learned the same lessons and he will need their guidance against an underrated fighter in Arthur.
The same doubts cannot be said for Arthur, with his coach Pat Barrett being an excellent trainer. Whilst Yarde dispatched of Dec Spelman with a stoppage in his last fight, I thought Arthur boxed very well gainst the same opponent and used his jab to great effect, looking comfortable throughout. If Arthur can get that jab going early against Yarde, I think he can navigate his way to a great win here. I don’t think Yarde is going to be able to take away that weapon.
A good fight between two solid contenders, but I just think Arthur has the more refined skills of the two and will have the tactics in place to get the job done. I’m going for a Lyndon Arthur decision."
Chris Hobbs
Former Southern Area champion
"I think Yarde wins by late KO."
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"Lyndon could box clever, utilising his jab to full effect, staying off the ropes and not holding his feet for too long to become a target, to win this contest on points. He has all the advantages to win and he and his team are very skilled, experienced and knowledgable.
Yarde is powerful and said himself that 26 minutes is a long time and I agree with that. At some point he could catch the 'King' and if he puts his punches together when he traps him on the ropes or in the corner, then he could force a stoppage, I believe. Yarde is clinical and when he gets someone in trouble, he gets them out of there.
Arthur is a great champion and he will win the early rounds, I think, but I can see Yarde smothering him at some point and leaving the referee with no other choice."
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