Sergey Kovalev rallies to KO Anthony Yarde in round 11

The 36-year-old WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev rallied to defeat the younger upstart Anthony Yarde by KO in round 11.

Over the last several years, Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs) has seesawed between being a light heavyweight champion and surprise defeat. On Saturday, Aug. 24, Kovalev fought in front of his hometown Chelyabinsk, Russia and successfully defended his WBO light heavyweight title against previously unbeaten Anthony Yarde (18-1, 17 KOs).

The first three rounds of the bout reinforced what we already knew about each man. Kovalev’s jab was stout, he was more aggressive and his superior footwork and skillset put him in position to score points on Yarde.

Yarde’s youth showed as his hands were faster than Kovalev’s. His punching power aligned with his muscular physique. It was hard to score Rounds 1-3 as both men had their moments. Kovalev’s jab scored and kept Yarde away. However, Yarde occasionally timed Kovalev’s jab and caught him with left hooks. Yarde’s only mistakes were that he wasn’t active enough, and he didn’t focus enough on Kovalev’s body.

Kovalev pulled away in Rounds 4 and 5. His jab picked apart the 28 year old Yarde. He was also utilizing combinations which froze Yarde and kept in from countering. Yarde’s lack of experience showed as he missed opportunities to break Kovalev down with body punches.

Round 6 was a lopsided round for Kovalev. Yarde started to breathe heavily through his mouth and showed signs of fatigue. Kovalev took advantage and continued to land his jabs with regularity. He trapped Yarde along the ropes and let his hands go.

Yarde responded well in Round 7. He rediscovered his body punches and halted Kovalev’s offense with left hooks to the liver. Every time Yarde connected with that punch, Kovalev’s hands stopped and his arms dropped to defend his midsection.

Yarde almost stopped Kovalev in Round 8. His assault on Kovalev’s body resumed, but then he switched levels and hooked to Kovalev’s head. Yarde caught Kovalev with a right hook that badly hurt him with more than a minute remaining in the round.

Kovalev’s legs looked shot, and he could hardly stand. He staggered around the ring as Yarde moved his body with each hook he threw and landed. Kovalev grabbed Yarde in desperation. He was helped by Yarde’s exhaustion. Yarde punched himself out and couldn’t put Kovalev away.

Between rounds, Kovalev’s trainer Buddy McGirt threatened to stop the fight if Kovalev did not respond better in the next round. Watching Kovalev take a beating in Round 8 worried McGirt, but he allowed Kovalev to continue.

In Round 9, Kovalev’s strength in his legs returned and he outboxed Yarde throughout the round. Yarde’s punch count plummeted. His stamina was depleted from the previous round, and he never regained his form.

Kovalev sensed that Yarde’s conditioning was faltering and nearly stopped Yarde in Round 10. In the last 20 seconds, Kovalev trapped Yarde on the ropes and beat him with numerous combinations. When the bell rang, Yarde looked dejected as he slowly walked back to his corner.

Yarde started Round 11 with a combination. Ringside commentator Timothy Bradley said it was Yarde’s last stand and he was correct. After the first minute of the round, Yarde drained what was left of his energy. He had nothing left in the tank.

Kovalev hurt Yarde with left-right combinations. Yarde’s legs were weary, his hands were low and he struggled to defend himself. His movement in the ring became lethargic, and Kovalev caught him off-balance and out of position with a jab to the jaw. It wasn’t the most forceful punch, but it was enough to send Yarde flat on his back.

Yarde was conscious but hurt and exhausted. It’s hard to tell which feeling he felt more, but the combination was enough to keep him on the ground. The referee counted him out, and the fight was over. Kovalev successfully retained his title via TKO in Round 11.

Both boxers won with this fight. Kovalev proved that he’s still an elite champion despite his age, and Yarde proved that he’s talented enough to hang with the best fighters in the world. In time, Yarde may be a champion, but that honor still belongs to Kovalev.