Anthony Yarde made his first appearance in the ring in 2024 as he came up against Marko Nikolic at the Copper Box Arena. The Serbian was a limited performer but that did not bring any mercy from the former title challenger, who stopped him in the third round with a huge right-hand bodyshot that had him gasping for breath. Watching on was his rumoured next opponent, Joshua Buatsi.
Anthony Yarde swept aside Marko Nikolic at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday night.
Yarde lost to Artur Beterbiev at the start of last year but returned to winning ways with a victory over Jorge Silva in September.
The light heavyweight division titles will probably shake out later this year, with Beterbiev poised for an undisputed clash against another undefeated champion, Dmitry Bivol.
Once that rivalry is settled the belts might come up for grabs again, but before then there is talk of an all-British clash with Joshua Buatsi, who became the No. 1 WBA fighter after beating Dan Azeez the weekend prior.
Nikolic had rarely threatened to break into the big time at 175lbs but in his most recent fight he became the Serbian champion at the weight, though he came into the fight here as the clear underdog.
An eight count for Nikolic came in the second, though he protested that it was more a shove and a slip that had done for him rather than a punch, but moments later he went down with a body shot and just beat the nine count after taking a knee.
Another right hand to the body left Nikolic immediately wincing in pain and on his backside, and the referee waved off the fight to give Yarde a simple win.
Buatsi turned up after the fight to congratulate his proposed opponent, and apologised for the “ambush”.
“I would be at home if I didn’t have interest,” Buatsi said. “I’m here because I think this should be next. I’m down for it and I’m sure his team feel the same way.”
Yarde suggested that compared to Buatsi vs Azeez, “This fight between me and ‘JB’ is 100 times bigger.
“Me and him have both got mutual respect but we’re both fighters, we’ve both agreed to get it cracking. We’ve said it behind the scenes.
“We spoke, we always had in our mind we’d fight. We’d get it cracking. He’s a respectful person, he had a victory.
“For me, I’m ready whenever. It’s about making the deal. If me and Joshua Buatsi could fight for a world title that’d be perfect. If not that’s fine.”
Buatsi replied: “My answer’s simple and short – I’m ready.”
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