Russian-born Montrealer Artur Beterbiev retains his three light-heavyweight world championship belts thanks to a knockout victory. technique in the 8th round against Briton Anthony Yarde.
Beterbiev thus earned a 19th victory in 19 professional fights, and once again he did it before the limit.
Which isn’t to say that Yarde (23-3-0 – 22 KOs) was easy prey for the 38-year-old pugilist.
Yarde showed he could be a solid taker, especially on the second, fourth and seventh bouts. He also had some good moments, including during the fifth round, to the delight of his supporters.
Yarde visited the mat in the eighth round, however, and shortly after he got up, his cornermen threw in the towel at 2:01 of the round.
Beterbiev was defending his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight belts.
Yarde was the number 1 contender in the WBO, and number 3 contender in the WBC and IBF.