In the future, Anthony Yarde hopes to challenge Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO 200-pound title by moving up to cruiserweight.
Anthony Yarde(24-3, 23KOs) from England has made two attempts to win world titles in the light-heavyweight division. In 2019, he challenged Sergey Kovalev for the WBO title, and last year he faced the formidable knockout artist and unified champion Artur Beterbiev.
At light-heavyweight, Yarde, 32, has some really intriguing fights. The winner of Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez on February 3 is especially exciting. Over time, though, Yarde’s group thinks he may also be a formidable force at cruiserweight.
“There are some great fights, some great possibilities for Anthony primarily as the fighter and myself as the manager and trainer to explore. We were even talking about big fights up at cruiserweight,” said Tunde Ajayi, Yarde’s coach and manager.
“I would even go so far, if you put the right proposal to Anthony now, he’ll fight Chris Billam-Smith tomorrow. 100 million percent,” he added.
Yarde, who weighs 175 pounds, possesses significant power, and he engaged in a thrilling fight with Beterbiev, one of the sport’s strongest punchers per pound. Ajayi believes that despite the significant weight increase from light-heavy, Yarde does possess the skills necessary to thrive at cruiser.
“Anthony has been a cruiserweight from the beginning of his career, it’s discipline and dedication which has allowed him to make the light-heavyweight division. It’s not because he’s not willing go and fight bigger guys,” said Ajayi.
“It’s no secret, he’s a massive light-heavyweight in terms of width. He packs a punch. We know that he’s capable of fighting as a cruiserweight no problem. We just have to wait and see what comes up. That’s the honest truth. We’re ready. We’re always ready. Anthony’s a consummate professional,” he added.
“We just have to wait and see what comes up. That’s the honest truth. We’re ready. We’re always ready. Anthony’s a consummate professional. He trains and spars with bigger guys, has performed well against British champions at cruiser and even world champions at cruiser in the gym. So I don’t think there’d be any problem with Anthony moving up to that weight and fighting Billam-Smith,” he continued.
