Light heavyweight puncher Anthony Yarde still intends to avenge his narrow loss to rival Lyndon Arthur, but first he’ll have to deal with unbeaten German Emin Atra on Queensberry’s April 24th Denzel Bentley-Felix Cash card.
The 29-year-old Yarde (20-2, 19 KO) rebounded from his unsuccessful crack at Sergey Kovalev with knockouts of Diego Jair Ramirez and the durable Dec Spelman, setting up a December clash with Arthur. Yarde’s slow start wound up costing him a split decision that he’s eager to run back.
“I am just looking forward to getting back in action and blowing away the cobweb,” Yarde said. “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster personal and business wise, but I am getting back and right now I feel very good. Things are going well.
“I wanted the rematch with Lyndon immediately, but it didn’t work out that way. There is still a rematch clause, but for now I need to stay active. I gave myself time to sit back, analyze and look through everything that has happened. It is about re-assessing everything and getting myself back out there.”
With regards to the Arthur fight, Yarde said, “When you’re in there things seem to be going a certain type of way. I kind of think Lyndon’s response in our exchange after the fight showed us both who he thought won the fight.
“Afterwards he said he said he thought it was close. In there, I thought I won clearly and one judge had it wide. When I actually watched it again it was closer than I thought. The next day I was over the Lyndon fight. I am not a person who holds onto things, especially as it’s something you can’t change.
“That wasn’t the right result or the best result on the night for myself or performance. Things happen at certain stages to remind you, what you’re meant to be doing and your purpose in the sport.
“I have changed a lot. I am going to hold back saying what I’ve changed. There are things what have been changed, but I want to lock things in first and make sure I’m happy before I make any announcements.”
Atra’s (17-0, 12 KO) record is complete fluff, as just one of his last nine opponents entered with a winning record. He’s here to get brutalized.