Anthony Yarde knocks out Dec Spelman in Round 6

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde stopped Dec Spelman in the sixth round Saturday in London.

Anthony Yarde took care of Dec Spelman on Saturday night in London. Now it’s on to a bigger challenge, Lyndon Arthur.

Yarde stopped Spelman in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout, the Londoner’s second consecutive knockout since he was stopped in 11 rounds by then-titleholder Sergey Kovalev in August of last year. He KO’d journeyman Diego Ramirez in February.

The fight on Saturday was competitive for five rounds, as Yarde demonstrated no urgency in unleashing his considerable power.

Then, in Round 6, he stepped up the pressure. He landed a series of punishing blows until Spelman finally went down. He was able to get back to his fit but wasn’t fit to continue, prompting referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. The official time was 2:42.

Spelman (16-5, 8 KOs) had never been stopped.

“This win meant a lot,” Yard said afterward. “I was sharp. Everyone knew about last year with the Kovalev fight, everyone knows my ambition. I’m still inexperienced. I’m being more patient, being defensively responsible.

“When I want to open up I can, but it’s about learning in the ring, working the jab, getting back into defensive position after the shots.”

Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) is now expected to face the unbeaten Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) for the Commonwealth title as soon as next month, although no date or site has been set.

Yarde was in talks to face Arthur earlier this year but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

“I’m ready to fight whenever,” Yarde said. “Obviously (coronavirus) has impacted everything and we’re hearing about a second wave. I’m just staying in the gym, staying ready.”

Anthony Yarde knocks out Dec Spelman in Round 6

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde stopped Dec Spelman in the sixth round Saturday in London.

Anthony Yarde took care of Dec Spelman on Saturday night in London. Now it’s on to a bigger challenge, Lyndon Arthur.

Yarde stopped Spelman in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout, the Londoner’s second consecutive knockout since he was stopped in 11 rounds by then-titleholder Sergey Kovalev in August of last year. He KO’d journeyman Diego Ramirez in February.

The fight on Saturday was competitive for five rounds, as Yarde demonstrated no urgency in unleashing his considerable power.

Then, in Round 6, he stepped up the pressure. He landed a series of punishing blows until Spelman finally went down. He was able to get back to his fit but wasn’t fit to continue, prompting referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. The official time was 2:42.

Spelman (16-5, 8 KOs) had never been stopped.

“This win meant a lot,” Yard said afterward. “I was sharp. Everyone knew about last year with the Kovalev fight, everyone knows my ambition. I’m still inexperienced. I’m being more patient, being defensively responsible.

“When I want to open up I can, but it’s about learning in the ring, working the jab, getting back into defensive position after the shots.”

Yarde (20-1, 19 KOs) is now expected to face the unbeaten Arthur (17-0, 12 KOs) for the Commonwealth title as soon as next month, although no date or site has been set.

Yarde was in talks to face Arthur earlier this year but the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport.

“I’m ready to fight whenever,” Yarde said. “Obviously (coronavirus) has impacted everything and we’re hearing about a second wave. I’m just staying in the gym, staying ready.”