As far as boxing badasses go, of fighters currently practicing, Artur Beterbiev is real near the top of any credible list. How the Russian born Canada resident handled New Yorker Joe Smith his last time out…it looked more like a mugging of a defenseless being rather than the stout challenge many expected it to be. But Anthony Yarde, who is the next victim, scratch that, foe, for Beterbiev, is not Joe Smith.
That likely won't matter, however, because even if Yarde's chin holds up better than Smith's, even if he summons power a grade better than Smith's, Beterbiev is likely to continue his momentum of efficient destruction.
Prediction 1
Beterbiev to Win
-700
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Yarde to Win
+450
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Odds from
Beterbiev, age 38, is 18-0, with 18 KOs. Yarde backers know the Hackney man can talk a nice game and sure does cut a fine figure aesthetically in the ring. Big “but” time– the 31 year old in that ring at Wembley Arena Saturday isn't going to be facing Lyndon Freakin' Arthur. Those muscles could be more of a hindrance than help when Beterbiev starts pushing Yarde back, intent on turning his lights out. Of course, this could be the night Beterbiev looks and acts his age, so that's why we have to tune in, just in case.
Prediction 1
Beterbiev by TKO/KO
-350
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Yarde by TKO/KO
+650
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Odds from
Per BetMGM, Artur Beterbiev is the favorite at -700, and Anthony Yarde is the underdog at +450.
Artur Beterbiev: Decision +550; KO/TKO -350
Draw: +2500
Anthony Yarde: Decision +1600; KO/TKO +650
Prediction 1
Beterbiev by Decision
+550
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Yarde by Decision
+1600
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Odds from
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
🔥 All the makings of a classic. It's #BeterbievYarde fight week.#BeterbievYarde | 28 January | 🎟️ via https://t.co/OO326gB5qL pic.twitter.com/1yXA03ktSq
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) January 23, 2023
Founder/editor Michael Woods got addicted to boxing in 1990, when Buster Douglas shocked the world with his demolition of the then-impregnable Mike Tyson. The Brooklyn-based journalist has covered the sport since for ESPN The Magazine, ESPN.com, Bad Left Hook and RING. His journalism career started with NY Newsday in 1999. Michael Woods is also an accomplished blow by blow and color man, having done work for Top Rank, DiBella Entertainment, EPIX, and for Facebook Fightnight Live, since 2017.