Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWho knows what\u2019s next for Yarde, he\u2019ll need some time off after that fight.<\/p>\n
But his stock has risen massively, that was a sensational performance against one of the most feared fighters in the sport.<\/p>\n
Went toe-to-toe with Beterbiev, caused him problems throughout before ultimately getting caught. Should be incredibly proud.<\/p>\n
Mission accomplished….<\/h2>\n 23:48<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n23:41<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWhat next for Beterbiev?<\/p>\n
Got to be an undisputed light-heavyweight bout with Bivol, who holds the WBA belt. All the titles would be on the line between the two Russians.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been talk of Beterbiev moving up and facing Usyk, but that doesn\u2019t feel realistic for now.<\/p>\n
23:36<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nOne right hand to stagger Yarde, another to send him tumbling to the canvas.<\/p>\n
Yarde did well to beat the count, but he was done by that point. Feels like a good stoppage from his corner.<\/p>\n
Story continues<\/button><\/p>\n23:31<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cHe went in there, he displayed qualities and showed a heart you can\u2019t question. No questions about his heart or chin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua Buatsi full of praise for Yarde, a man who will surely fight in the future.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev\u2019s reaction<\/h2>\n 23:25<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cEvery fight is different. If I did it again I would want to do better.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone in this category can punch hard. Anthony did too. He\u2019s young.. he has time. I hope he does well in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, every punch we prepared for. That\u2019s why I came back. We expect that, that\u2019s why I won.\u201d<\/p>\n
Respect between the fighters!<\/h2>\n 23:23<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n23:19<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nYarde was ahead on two of the scorecards going into that round.<\/p>\n
He boxed absolutely brilliant, can be so proud of his efforts. One of the great fights and he more than played his part.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev stops Yarde in the eighth round!<\/h2>\n 23:15<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nThis is as good a fight as you\u2019ll ever see. Incredible pace, both landing huge shots and neither giving a single inch.<\/p>\n
Yarde lands a right hand, backs it up with a nice jab. Beterbiev looks to be feeling the pace, but out of nowhere he\u2019ll find a massive shot that slows Yarde right down.<\/p>\n
AND THERE\u2019S ONE! YARDE IS DOWN! Staggered with a massive shot, sent to the canvas with a swinging right!<\/p>\n
HE\u2019S ALL OVER THE PLACE! AND IT\u2019S BEEN WAVED OFF! YARDE\u2019S CORNER HAVE SEEN ENOUGH.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 23:12<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 7<\/strong><\/p>\nBeterbiev\u2019s corner a bit animated between rounds, they know their man is in a real fight here. Is he feeling the pace? Looks to have slowed down a bit.<\/p>\n
Still blood coming from his left eye and now he loses his balance, trips over himself as he lunges in. Yarde quickly there to try and land the left hook, can\u2019t do so this time.<\/p>\n
Uppercut from Yarde, and a straight left! Beterbiev backed into the corner, but he lands a huge uppercut of his own! Out of nowhere Yarde is hanging on, he\u2019s got his hands high. Has to find a way out of that corner.<\/p>\n
Decides to just keep swinging instead, another Yarde uppercut! It\u2019s another sensational round!<\/p>\n
Got to feel that Yarde is ahead here. 4-3.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 23:08<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 6<\/strong><\/p>\nYarde looks a bit stunned as he comes out for the sixth, that was a really tough final 20 seconds. He\u2019s cut under his eye too, Beterbiev will keep aiming at that.<\/p>\n
Pace has slowed a bit after that brilliant round, they\u2019re both feeling it. Yarde stepping it up again, the left hook is bringing him so much success.<\/p>\n
And now Beterbiev is cut too, blood coming from his left eye. Beterbiev with another big shot right on the ball, might be enough to take it again.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve got it 3-3 at the halfway stage.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 23:05<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 5<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is being fought at a crazy pace, both of their faces have been marked up. Again Yarde\u2019s gumshield comes out, gives the pair an extra 15 seconds of rest.<\/p>\n
Yarde is pawing at his right eye, it\u2019s swelling up. Beterbiev pushed back though, Yarde caught him there and the Russian felt it.<\/p>\n
And there\u2019s another great left hook.. here he goes! Beterbiev staggered back, the crowd respond as the champion is backed right up. Yarde forcing the pace now, he\u2019s marching after Beterbiev.<\/p>\n
MASSIVE SHOT! Beterbiev briefly in the corner, swivels out of it though and Yarde is in big trouble himself! Uppercut is absolutely huge, Yarde desperately hanging on for the bell and it comes. Sensational round.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 23:00<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 4<\/strong><\/p>\nBeterbiev has come flying out of his corner!<\/p>\n
He\u2019s hurt Yarde, the legs have stiffened. Beterbiev putting the combinations together, catching Yarde with a number of huge shots. Brutal power.<\/p>\n
Legs look to be back under him, but those were worrying moments for the Brit. Left hook from Yarde, he looks to briefly have Beterbiev in trouble but the Russian then lets his hands go in response!<\/p>\n
That was a brilliant round. Beterbiev takes it for sure, probably makes it 2-2.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 22:56<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 3<\/strong><\/p>\nBeterbiev is leaving himself vulnerable as he charges in, doesn\u2019t seem to care though. Brief pause as Yarde\u2019s gumshield comes out.<\/p>\n
Sharp jab from the Russian, he\u2019s always one punch away from flipping any fight on its head.<\/p>\n
Jab in response from Yarde, followed by a couple of nice body shots. He lunges in there though, Beterbiev very close to pinging him with a right hand as the British man loses his balance.<\/p>\n
Big left hand! Right on the bell from Beterbiev, that could be enough to give him the round.<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 22:52<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 2<\/strong><\/p>\nNo surprise that Yarde\u2019s corner are thrilled with that first three minutes. Their man certainly took the round.<\/p>\n
Looks to be a bit of marking under Beterbiev\u2019s left eye already, Yarde cannot miss with the left hook. Backs it up with a jab that snaps Beterbiev\u2019s head back.<\/p>\n
Here comes the Russian though, he\u2019s starting to load up on his shots Yarde fights fire with fire, brilliant uppercut lands. This is a great round.<\/p>\n
Yarde\u2019s left hand continues to have success, but he cannot get caught in the corner. Beterbiev has already threatened to show how dangerous that would be.<\/p>\n
2-0 Yarde!<\/p>\n
Beterbiev vs Yarde<\/h2>\n 22:47<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 1<\/strong><\/p>\nCrowd right behind Yarde, and he lands decent left hook in the first minute. Beterbiev marching forward but he\u2019s already been caught a couple of times.<\/p>\n
Walks onto another one! Yarde landing with the left early on, Beterbiev getting caught as he moves forward.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s more like it from the Russian, good right hand. Follows it with a wild one that misses by a mile.<\/p>\n
Yarde can be happy with that first round, taking advantage when Beterbiev lunges in.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go!<\/h2>\n 22:44<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nUp and running in the first round!<\/p>\n
22:42<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWe\u2019ve read out the sponsors, listed the judges, fighters about to be given their instructions.<\/p>\n
Yarde has looked incredibly relaxed from the moment he emerged from his ring walk. Certain doesn\u2019t appear to be fazed.<\/p>\n
22:39<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nBoos for Beterbiev as he strolls out – don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be too bothered by that.<\/p>\n
His three belts being carried to the ring behind him, that\u2019s what\u2019s on offer tonight for Yarde.<\/p>\n
Would be one of the great wins for a British fighter if he can pull it off.<\/p>\n
Here we go!<\/h2>\n 22:37<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nTold you.<\/p>\n
Yarde is on his way to the ring, Wembley Arena right behind him.<\/p>\n
A lot of talk about the fitness work he\u2019s been doing in camp, doesn\u2019t want to fall short in the late rounds (if it goes that far) like he did against Kovalev.<\/p>\n
22:34<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nBT Sport have prepared their montages and they\u2019re going to use them!<\/p>\n
Nearly 40 minutes since Itauma\u2019s win in the final bout on the undercard – rings walks hopefully are imminent.<\/p>\n
And they are coming up in the next couple of minutes, it actually is almost time. Promise.<\/p>\n
22:31<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nYarde knows he\u2019s not the favourite… Yarde doesn\u2019t care that he\u2019s not the favourite!<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing the underdog, overdog, middle dog, it don\u2019t matter to me, I\u2019m a dog,\u201d he said this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I get into that ring and start throwing my hands, everyone knows what I can be. All that underdog stuff doesn\u2019t matter to me. It gives me that little push, that little urge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prediction from Tyson Fury!<\/h2>\n 22:27<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n22:24<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n18 fights, 18 wins, 18 knockouts for Beterbiev.<\/p>\n
Yarde has two defeats to his name, though he avenged the one to Lyndon Arthur.<\/p>\n
Just the 40 wins by stoppage between them – we\u2019re surely not hearing the final bell!<\/p>\n
22:18<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWe made it everyone. They\u2019ve gone. \u201cThe fans seemed to love it,\u201d says the presenting team. Interesting way to describe boos.<\/p>\n
Anyway, Paul and Fury are out of the ring. Sweet Caroline is playing. The main event is coming up!<\/p>\n
22:16<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nTyson Fury cracking up at ringside, fair to say he\u2019s not taking this very seriously. Rightly so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been going on for too long, far too long,\u201d says Tommy. Agreed.<\/p>\n
22:14<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nPaul has brought some clothes. Very predictably they both lunge at each other and security have to separate them. Both following the script perfectly.<\/p>\n
Fury says: \u201cHe will never box again. I\u2019m not 50, I\u2019m not 40, I\u2019m not an MMA guys. I swear to God, you\u2019re finished come February 26.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul responds, says Fury has only fought \u201ctaxi drivers\u201d and that\u2019s he has nothing but \u201cfake confidence\u201d.<\/p>\n
22:12<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWell, we\u2019ve got a bit of a sideshow first. Chisora among those in the ring for some reason.<\/p>\n
Anyway, it\u2019s Tommy Fury and Jake Paul into the ring. We\u2019re going to have these two slagging each other off for a few minutes, ahead of their fight next month.<\/p>\n
Fury prancing around topless – not sure why.<\/p>\n
Itauma\u2019s post-fight reaction…<\/h2>\n 22:08<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n22:06<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nNot even a smile from Itauma as he\u2019s interviewed after the bout.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s clearly really down after his brother\u2019s defeat earlier tonight, his focus seemed to be fully on that.<\/p>\n
Can\u2019t have been easy Moses dealing with that in the changing rooms before his debut.<\/p>\n
Easy night…<\/h2>\n 22:03<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n21:59<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nThe left hand did the damage. The first staggered Bode, and the second one hit the gloves but it was still powerful enough to knock him down.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve learned absolutely nothing from that – Bode wasn\u2019t fancying it at all. 14 seconds the official time.<\/p>\n
Bode still sat in his corner and he\u2019s getting some oxygen. This fight probably should have taken place about two hours ago.<\/p>\n
Itauma wins by first-round stoppage!<\/h2>\n 21:57<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nBODE DOWN AFTER 12 SECONDS!<\/p>\n
Dear me. Wobbled with one shot, knocked down with a second… AND IT\u2019S WAVED OFF!<\/p>\n
Wasn\u2019t worth warming up really.<\/p>\n
21:55<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nHere we go!<\/p>\n
Itauma up for his pro debut, four rounds of heavyweight action to come. Or at least that\u2019s scheduled, Itauma will be planning on finishing his work much quicker than that.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re in the ring, about to get underway in this final fight on the undercard.<\/p>\n
21:51<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nMoses Itauma vs Marcel Bode is next up, the final fight before we get to the main event.<\/p>\n
Reminder that Itauma\u2019s brother Karol was stunned earlier on tonight, losing for the first time in his professional career.<\/p>\n
Itauma, who believes he will become the youngest ever heavyweight world champion, makes his debut very shortly.<\/p>\n
Fletcher gets the decision<\/h2>\n 21:48<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nObviously.<\/p>\n
He wins every round, 60-54 on the referee\u2019s card. First time he hasn\u2019t got the stoppage, but he came against a man who is very, very well-equipped when it comes to making it through a fight.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:45<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 6<\/strong><\/p>\nFinal round of this one, Sharp a few minutes away from the outcome he wants.<\/p>\n
Fletcher lands a clean uppercut, found its way through the defences. Haven\u2019t been many of those at all. Looks for it again, Sharp saw it coming though and moved well away.<\/p>\n
No tempo at all to this fight, they\u2019re both cruising towards the final bell. And there it is.<\/p>\n
Fletcher gets the full six rounds, good experience for him.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:41<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 5<\/strong><\/p>\nQuick hands from Fletcher, Sharp smiling a less now. There\u2019s a good shot from Sharp though, he certainly enjoyed that!<\/p>\n
Crowd very quiet, they haven\u2019t had much to get involved with at all. Fletcher controlling the fight, landing his jab but that\u2019s about it. No desire from either of them to force the pace.<\/p>\n
Sounds like a few boos from the Wembley Arena crowd. Not impressed.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:38<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 4<\/strong><\/p>\nMark Tibbs very happy between rounds in the corner, telling Fletcher he\u2019s following the plan well.<\/p>\n
More good work with the jab from Fletcher, throws it from miles away as he makes full use of height. Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora sat together at ringside, not too much for them to get excited about.<\/p>\n
Sharp doing a very decent job of making sure he doesn\u2019t get caught with anything serious. Makes it through another round.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:33<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 3<\/strong><\/p>\nFletcher starting to let his hands go, puts together a nice combination as Sharp gets pushes into the corner. The standard smile and wave of the hand is the response.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s having a full-on conversation with Fletcher, who is staying very composed and letting his punches do the talking. Sharp enjoying himself at Wembley Arena.<\/p>\n
Left hook to the body from Fletcher, who still isn\u2019t really forcing the pace. He\u2019s won all three rounds very comfortably.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:29<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 2<\/strong><\/p>\nSharp spending most of his time smiling at Fletcher and beckoning him forward, clearly not feeling too concerned about the shots coming his way.<\/p>\n
Straight left from Fletcher, before a swinging right hand misses.<\/p>\n
All very controlled from Fletcher, he\u2019s taking no risks really. Happy to keep landing the jab and the occasional spiteful shot.<\/p>\n
Fletcher vs Sharp<\/h2>\n 21:25<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 1<\/strong><\/p>\nFletcher is 6ft 7, massive advantage over Sharp. This is just Fletcher\u2019s seventh professional round… Sharp has had a few more than that.<\/p>\n
Sharp has only been stopped three times in all his fights, so it would be a statement from Fletcher if the stoppage comes.<\/p>\n
No real sign of it in the opening three minutes. Couple of decent shots from Fletcher, met with a smile from Sharp who keeps urging his opponent to come forward.<\/p>\n
Relatively uneventful first round.<\/p>\n
21:22<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nFletcher and Sharp are in the ring – six rounds of cruiserweight action scheduled.<\/p>\n
104 professional fights for Sharp, just the 96 defeats. Going to need a fair old run to get himself towards a winning record.<\/p>\n
21:19<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nThis is Fletcher\u2019s fourth professional fight – three wins by knockout to his name so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did well as an amateur for how many fights I had,\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI only had 21 fights, but they were of a good quality and I\u2019ve boxed European gold medallists. So I have definitely mixed it with the best.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been sparring with grown men from the age of 15 and when you are putting them to sleep, it says something.\u201d<\/p>\n
21:15<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nTwo more fights to go until tonight\u2019s much-anticipated main event.<\/p>\n
Moses Itauma to come, but first Tommy Fletcher faces Darryl Sharp. That one is coming up very shortly.<\/p>\n
21:12<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nWow.<\/p>\n
Karol\u2019s brother Moses is in action later tonight, making his professional debut.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s got to put that shock defeat to Karol to one side and focus on himself, but that will surely have shaken him a bit.<\/p>\n
Massive upset!<\/h2>\n 21:10<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nBuatsi reacts to Itauma defeat<\/h2>\n 21:08<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cHe never got started tonight. I feel for him. In my opinion, [Maderna] has had a lot of fights. The experience he has, compared to Karol, it\u2019s a lot. He was the more experienced man.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other guy has done it so many times. That\u2019s what told for me tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Itauma stopped in the fifth!<\/h2>\n 21:04<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nITAUMA DOWN! Right hand from Maderna and Itauma is in huge trouble, he looks absolutely stunned.<\/p>\n
AND HE DOESN\u2019T GET UP! It\u2019s waved off and Maderna has a stunning upset win.<\/p>\n
Itauma beaten for the first time in his short professional career.<\/p>\n
Itauma vs Maderna<\/h2>\n 21:01<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 4<\/strong><\/p>\nItauma caught again, Maderna\u2019s best shot of the bout, but he follows it with a wild right hand that catches nothing but air.<\/p>\n
And Itauma is wobbled! His legs are very shaky as he\u2019s caught, just trying to hold now as Maderna pushes forward. Blood coming from his noise, Itauma trying to wipe it away.<\/p>\n
Body shot from Maderna, brilliant minute or so from him. Legs look to be back under Itauma now, but that was really worrying for him.<\/p>\n
Itauma vs Maderna<\/h2>\n 20:58<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 3<\/strong><\/p>\nThis is not comfortable for Itauma at all, he\u2019s being really tested in there.<\/p>\n
Good work on the inside though, landing a couple of shots on the inside as he backs Maderna up into the corner.<\/p>\n
And a couple of uppercuts again from Itauma up close, he\u2019s enjoying far more success when he closes the distance.<\/p>\n
His best round of the fight, though that\u2019s not a very high bar.<\/p>\n
Itauma vs Maderna<\/h2>\n 20:54<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 2<\/strong><\/p>\nMaderna continues to land, finding a way through Itauma\u2019s defences. Waiting on the back foot and picking his shots.<\/p>\n
Frank Warren\u2019s son is on his feet and screaming at the refree, as Maderna\u2019s glove touches the canvas after he got caught. Not deemed a knockdown.<\/p>\n
Maderna then lands a straight right, he\u2019s enjoying success despite that brief scare.<\/p>\n
Itauma vs Maderna<\/h2>\n 20:50<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nRound 1<\/strong><\/p>\nItauma looks huge in the ring compared to Maderna, definite size advantage.<\/p>\n
Composed start from Itauma, but there\u2019s some good shots coming back at him. And another right hand from Maderna, has marked up Itauma\u2019s nose a bit.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a much more even first round than we might have expected, Maderna very confident.<\/p>\n
20:46<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nTen round of light-heavyweight action scheduled. Itauma will not intend for it to go that long.<\/p>\n
Fighters standing in the ring, slight delay as the 400 sponsors are all read out. No messing around from Frank Warren…<\/p>\n
Ten defeats for Maderna in his pro career so far, would be a huge surprise if that number is not 11 very soon.<\/p>\n
Here we go!<\/p>\n
20:40<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nFirst Itauma brother is up next – Karol Itauma vs Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old is 9-0, seven of those wins coming by knockout. The vacant WBC International light-heavyweight title is on the line tonight.<\/p>\n
20:36<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nKarol and Moses Itauma both still to come tonight, plenty of excitement surrounding the brothers.<\/p>\n
Only a couple of hours away now from the main event, Beterbiev vs Yarde. Don\u2019t want to miss the start of that one, it\u2019s unlikely to go the distance!<\/p>\n
Unanimous decision for the Ukrainian<\/h2>\n 20:33<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\nDalakian wins<\/h2>\n 20:30<\/em> , Matt Verri<\/em><\/p>\n115-113. 115-113. 116-112.<\/p>\n
All in favour of… Dalakian! And still. He defends his WBA title, thoroughly deserved too.<\/p>\n\n