Frank Warren genuinely believes that Anthony Yarde can beat Artur Beterbiev

Frank Warren has backed Anthony Yarde to become the next unified light heavyweight champion of the world ahead of the biggest fight of his career against Artur Beterbiev.

Yarde, 30, faces what could be a career defining fight against the Russian, having unfortunately come up short when he unsuccessfully challenged Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight title in August 2019.

Beterbiev, who is two years his senior, is the current holder of the unified IBF, WBC and WBO belts.

He is also the only world champion with a perfect 100 per cent KO ratio, having knocked out each of his last 18 opponents including Oleksandr Gvozydk, Callum Johnson and Joe Smith Jr.

And writing in his column for BoxingScene.com, Warren revealed that he had already been in negotiations with Bob Arum for a number of months before the announcement, with an “agreement having been reached before Beterbiev even laid a glove on Joe Smith jr in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Anthony holds the No.1 spot with the WBO and would be called as mandatory in any case so, along with Bob Arum of Top Rank, we put our plans into action and have booked the 02 Arena for what will be a mighty collision between two huge punching light heavies.”

“It will be a big bang-up, that is for sure.

“Beterbiev, who has not been the most active over recent years, certainly looked light on his feet and quick on the draw against Smith Jr, who was overwhelmed by the power and accuracy of the Canada-based 37-year-old.

“Watching the fight reminded me of what a great pity it was that Callum Johnson was unable to participate in a challenge to Smith Jr in January. Covid struck Callum at just the wrong time and he missed out on a golden opportunity.

“It could have all played out