Artur Beterbiev (18-0-0, 18KOs) returns to London for the first time in eleven years on Saturday to defend his unified light-heavyweight titles against Britain’s own Anthony Yarde (23-2-0, 21KOs).
The Canadian Beterbiev last fought on British shores in an Olympic quarter-final defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at London 2012.
Eighteen professional contests later Beterbiev has emerged as one of the sport’s most ferocious punchers and emerges as the only world champion boxer with a 100% knockout ratio.
A two-round demolition of Joe Smith Jr in June cemented Beterbiev as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
The 38-year-old enters this weekend’s clash an overwhelming favourite with many tipping Yarde to be the latest man pummelled at the hands of the Canadian in the 175lb division.
The Londoner has fought at world level previously when he suffered an eleventh-round stoppage defeat to Sergey Kovalev out in Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2019.
Yarde has rebounded and boasts three consecutive knockout victories heading into Saturday’s duel at the Wembley Arena.
Ukraine’s WBA flyweight champion Artem Dalakian (21-0-0, 15KOs) will make his sixth defence of his title in the chief support against Costa Rican David Jimenez (12-0-0, 9KOs).
Dalakian picked up the vacant strap with a unanimous decision victory over Brian Viloria in 2018 and most recently defended with a ninth-round stoppage of Luis Concepcion in 2021.
Jimenez will appear in his first world title fight this weekend.
Kent light-heavyweight Karol Itauma (9-0-0, 7KOs) steps up for his first ten-round contest against Argentine Ezequiel Maderna (28-10-0, 18KOs).
The 22-year-old Itauma emerged victorious in all four of his appearances in 2022 as a shot at domestic titles grows nearer.
Hard-hitting cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (3-0-0, 3KOs) is also set to appear in a six-round clash with Darryl Sharp (7-96-1, 1KO), while renowned amateur prospect Moses Itauma will make his professional debut at heavyweight.
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