Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images
See how Sergey Kovalev defended his WBO light heavyweight title in dramatic fashion.
Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs) defended his WBO light heavyweight title in a thrilling bout against England’s Anthony Yarde (18-1, 17 KOs), who was not without his opportunity to pull off the upset in Russia.
While Kovalev was the superior fighter for most of the contest, Yarde heavily attacked the body in the eighth round and nearly knocked Kovalev out. Unfortunately for him, having already shown signs of fatigue even before the eighth, he punched himself out and was steadily broken down as the fight progressed. Kovalev’s jab, which was his money punch for the entire fight, ultimately sent Yarde down and out in the penultimate frame.
Watch video of the finish below:
Sergey Kovalev stops Anthony Yarde in his home town
An incredible fight between the pair of them… #KovalevYarde pic.twitter.com/aGGrFeuoTv
— Boxing on BT Sport (@BTSportBoxing) August 24, 2019
Kovalev was up on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage, and rightfully so.
Full fight highlights can be seen at the top of the page.
Here’s our commentary of the finish:
Round 11 – Yarde trying to rally. Lands a right hand upstairs. Pouring out the punches and then Kovalev shoves Yarde, who falls down in sheer exhaustion. Slow right hand by Yarde. Left hand by Kovalev. Sergey is picking him apart. Body shot by Kovalev. Short right hand by Kovalev down the middle. Two-punch combo by Yarde moves him back. KOVALEV KNOCKS YARDE DOWN WITH A LEFT HAND! HE WILL NOT GET UP! HE KNOCKED HIM OUT WITH A JAB!
Official result: Sergey Kovalev def. Anthony Yarde by KO at 2:04 of round 11 to remain the WBO light heavyweight champion