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Sergey Kovalev, a former light heavyweight champion, is supporting Artur Beterbiev, a rival amateur, in their required matchup with Anthony Yarde.
Kovalev defended the WBO championship against Yarde in Russia back in 2019.
Kovalev was in significant trouble in the second phase of the fight and looked to be about to be knocked out by Yarde. In the final rounds, Kovalev was able to outlast a tired Yarde and defeat him.
Yarde will get a second chance at victory on Saturday night in London when he takes on Beterbiev for the IBF, WBO, and WBC light heavyweight crowns.
Kovalev, who now fights at cruiserweight, claims that despite being severely underweight going into the bout, he still managed to halt Yarde by holding off Yarde's comeback.
The fight's overwhelming favorite is Beterbiev, with Yarde having, at most, a puncher's chance.
With his forecast that Beterbiev will secure a stoppage in the first six rounds of the battle, Kovalev does not expect the fight to enter the second half.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting fight, but in my opinion, Artur will smash him. I was in trouble when I fought Anthony Yarde. I was in trouble in round number seven or eight because I was drained of my energy by losing weight. I lost more than 15 pounds for this fight. He couldn’t stop me," Kovalev said to Ring IQ.
“What I think so, Artur will finish him in the middle of the fight. It’s boxing. Not later than six. I think so, five, six. They’re both big, strong & smart. Therefore, it’s an interesting fight, but I think so, Beterbiev will smash him before the middle of the fight.”