Yarde can only win by KO

Inexperienced, true, bit off more than he can chew? very well could be the case, but my guess is Yarde is a tad faster than we give him credit for, and he's has to be a little resilient cause he's got no head movement and takes a few before landing his KO shots. Kov will pick him apart for a lopsided decision or stop him if Yarde doesn't bumrush and manhandle his way to get in a big punch. He's young and athletic, we'll see if he has the speed and fight plan to avoid Krusher giving him his first L. .... and on the resiliency thing ... don't forget Ward (not known as a heavy hitter) stopped him. An interesting matchup at least, will watch it. Good points, thanks The resiliency thing, yeah, Kovalev's chin does seem a bit cracked, another reason why I think his gameplan will be to box and move Another aspect is Tunde, I don't know much about him except that he had a handful of pro fights and hasn't trained anyone else, I just wonder if he's worked a corner in such a high-profile fight before? Because McGirt is hugely experienced. Yarde's gameplan is going to play a huge role in this fight, I'm so intrigued to see what they do on the night. Edit: on Boxrec it says Tunde trained Kevin Mitchell for his first 16 fights. I don't know why, I thought Tunde had only trained Yarde, but evidently he's worked with a few boxers, link: https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Babatunde_Ajayi

Stopped reading at The scorecards for the Chilemba fight were wide as hell. I agree it was unfair to insinuate that Chilemba had been robbed of rounds, it was only one scorecard (118-109) that was a bit wide Regardless, I think a points decision is not possible for Yarde, and the crux of the thread, then, is to figure out how Yarde can get the KO Thanks for your input :boxing:

Stopped reading at The scorecards for the Chilemba fight were wide as hell.

He's younger, faster, stronger, more resilient, and hungry. If he goes in like Shawn Porter, grappling, shoving, and getting in shots in between all that, he has more than a chance. If he lets his ego dictate his strategy and try to outbox him, it will be a long night and a hard lesson. Younger = in other words, inexperienced More resilient = nobody knows Hungry = the question is has he bitten off more than he can chew? Faster = with Yarde's physique, i'm not sure about this Stronger = this is perhaps the only point you mention that is uncontroversial... I just don't see how Yarde will be able to use his strength to get inside, if he just tries to force his way in, Kov will keep him at range easily. Yarde needs to be clever, and I don't see any evidence that he can do this Also: Height-wise, they are both listed at 6' but I have the suspicion that Kovalev is actually a good couple of inches taller

Any insinuation that Chilemba was not given rounds he deserved? Really? Yeah I guess that is an unfair insinuation, Chilemba was definitely dominated. There was just the one scorecard, 118-109, that I thought was bit too wide perhaps. Let me put it this way, Kov has home-town advantage, making it even harder for Yarde to win on points than it already is.

He has to target Kovalev's body. Don't go head hunting and keep his guard up if he is to have a chance.

Not only by KO. He can hurt and drop Kovalev several times, like Quillin did with N'Dam. But most likely, he's going to have to stop Kovalev.

by punching kovalev in the balls http://i.imgur.com/37omOMs.jpg

Yarde just landed in Russia, and they've lost his luggage... and so it begins Seriously, though, I wanna hear how on earth Yarde is supposed to go about getting this KO by punching kovalev in the balls

Yarde can crack and everything is on the line. Coupled with the fact that Kovalev isn't the same killer he once was. if anyone can do it, it's Yarde. You don't survive in the 7th by being weak and it's called "Gaza" for a reason. Yarde is tough and he'll rise to the occasion. Just imagine how big it would be for British boxing and the UK from a PR POV. Rooting for Yarde - British boxing needs it. Levels Kovalev isn't shot, he may be past prime but he isn't shot

The money keeps coming in on Yarde, Kovalev down to a -170 favorite (From over -250 previously)

War Yarde! He just posted a video of his arrival in Russia on instagram. Lions in the camp! London Town! Gwarn!!! Yarde by KO and a new star is born in British boxing! Don't get me wrong, it'll be amazing if he pulls it off. All signs point to it not happening, though

True, but not because of the judges...just because Yarde can't outbox Kovalev but he can catch him clean

Yarde wouldn't get a decision *anywhere* cause he's not that skilled. He has to rough him up and push him around with his upper body strength, manhandle him in the clinches, crack him good as they break. Whatever he can do to stay away from fighting outside at distance where Kov should pick him apart. Fair point, he's definitely not getting the decision either way. Calzaghe and Barry Jones (vid below) were talking about the fight, they got in the ring together and worked out how Kov and Yarde might approach things... Joe didn't seem too confident about Yarde's chances. One thing in particular that Joe noted was Kovalev's body-jab, he uses it well to back opponents up. I just cannot envision Yarde working his way inside, that's his only chance and I don't see how it's possible

Yarde can only win by KO not because of the scorecards, but because he cant outbox kovalev and even if he could, his gas tank would not allow it... lol yeah fair enough, he's definitely not getting the decision either way! (why didn't i use multiquote)

but with what experience though? Yardes longest fight went 7 rounds. He does not know how to drown someone in the later rounds. It is Yarde who should be careful on how to pace himself. Dude looks abnormally big and muscular at lightheavy. Couple this with no experience in the later rounds, it is highly likely that he will gas sooner or later. Yarde also has not yet fought against someone who could set a high pace and make it uncomfortable for him. All his fights have been against opponents, that he could just toy with. So there are big question marks regarding his stamina, chin and durability. I dont even believe that his shoulder roll defense will work against someone who has sharper offensive tools. Exactly what I'm thinking. Kovalev has a lot of experience. If their plan is to go into the later rounds, Kov will find his own ways of making it difficult for Yarde, tying him up, leaning on him, etc, aside from a good work rate And yeah, that shoulder-roll defence... I think Kov is more than capable of landing some good right hands if Yarde tries it

He should not be landing there with 5 days to go. Yeah I thought that was odd aswell, you want 10 days ideally

Hanging in there with Kovalev, waiting for him to tire, into the later rounds... I can imagine Yarde getting desperate if it comes to that. but with what experience though? Yardes longest fight went 7 rounds. He does not know how to drown someone in the later rounds. It is Yarde who should be careful on how to pace himself. Dude looks abnormally big and muscular at lightheavy. Couple this with no experience in the later rounds, it is highly likely that he will gas sooner or later. Yarde also has not yet fought against someone who could set a high pace and make it uncomfortable for him. All his fights have been against opponents, that he could just toy with. So there are big question marks regarding his stamina, chin and durability. I dont even believe that his shoulder roll defense will work against someone who has sharper offensive tools.

Yarde just landed in Russia, and they've lost his luggage... and so it begins Seriously, though, I wanna hear how on earth Yarde is supposed to go about getting this KO He should not be landing there with 5 days to go.

He'll need a lucky punch Fortunately, he's been training hard to land a lucky punch :D