Anthony Yarde Eyes Cruiserweight Division Shift

British light-heavyweight Anthony Yarde has contemplated a significant move up to the cruiserweight division, signalling a new chapter in his already illustrious career in boxing which has seen him f

Anthony Yarde: Eyeing a Mighty Leap to Cruiserweight

Anthony Yarde, a formidable name in the light heavyweight ranks, is setting his sights on the cruiserweight division. His trainer and manager, Tunde Ajayi, has expressed confidence in Yarde’s ability to make this transition successfully. Yarde, currently fighting at 175 pounds, has demonstrated he has the power to contend with the big guys at light heavyweight, evident in his thrilling encounter with Artur Beterbiev, one of boxing’s pound-for-pound heaviest hitters.

The potential move comes after Yarde’s notable fights in the light-heavyweight division, including challenges for the WBO title against Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and the unified champion Artur Beterbiev last year. Yarde’s record currently stands at 24-3 with 23 KOs.

The Move To Cruiserweight

In the realm of cruiserweight, Yarde has his eyes set on Chris Billam-Smith, the current WBO 200-pound champion. Ajayi has confidently stated that if the right proposal were made, Yarde would be ready to face Billam-Smith “tomorrow,” showcasing the team’s readiness and ambition for new challenges.

Billam-Smith, coming off a successful title defence against Mateusz Masternak, could potentially face Yarde in what promises to be a high-profile British matchup. Yarde’s transition to cruiserweight is seen as a natural progression, with Ajayi noting that Yarde has essentially been a cruiserweight throughout his career, maintained at light heavyweight through discipline and dedication.

While the prospect of Yarde moving up to cruiserweight is exciting, his immediate future may still be tied to the light heavyweight division but with Yarde’s athletic movement and explosive power, boxing fans could be in some really exciting fights.

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