Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs) defended his WBO light heavyweight title in a thrilling bout against England’s Anthony Yarde (18-1, 17 KOs), who was not without his opportunity to pull off the upset in Russia.
While Kovalev was the superior fighter for most of the contest, Yarde heavily attacked the body in the eighth round and nearly knocked Kovalev out. Unfortunately for him, having already shown signs of fatigue even before the eighth, he punched himself out and was steadily broken down as the fight progressed. Kovalev’s jab, which was his money punch for the entire fight, ultimately sent Yarde down and out in the penultimate frame.