Undefeated light heavyweight Anthony Yarde is a week away from the biggest fight of his pro career.
Yarde will travel over to Russia, to challenge the recognized division ruler, WBO world champion Sergey Kovalev, in his hometown of Chelyabinsk.
Kovalev first became champion back in 2013, when he traveled over to Cardiff and knocked out Nathan Cleverly, who like Yarde was promoted by Frank Warren.
Yarde is a big puncher, with 17 of his 18 wins coming in by way of knockout.
Kovalev is also a puncher, with 28 knockouts in his 33 victories.
Last August, Kovalev was knocked out in seven rounds by Eleider Alvarez. But in their February rematch, Kovalev dominated the action to win an impressive twelve round unanimous decision.
At 36-years-old, Kovalev is at the tail-end of his career - and Yarde is viewed as the young guy on the rise.
"What's in my mind is tunnel vision, winning by KO. "However it happens, or whenever it happens, nobody knows. I haven’t got a magic wand so I can’t tell you how," Yarde told The Telegraph.
"Even this fight, I’m not treating it any different. I’m still not going to want to take any punishment and dish out as much punishment as I can in as short a space as I can. I’m not going to be reckless."
Tunde Ajayi, Yarde's trainer and manager, believe the fight is taking place at the right time.
“Look, Kovalev is fighting in his home town, but his home is now California, let’s get that right. Paul Young has a beautiful song, 'Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home. He’s been westernised. The tractor days are gone. He’s waking up in silk pyjamas.”
There is a lot more than a world title on the line for Kovalev. Should he win, there is a very good chance that he moves forward to a high profile clash with Canelo Alvarez at the end of the year.
