Lyndon Arthur wants world title shot but believes rematch with Anthony Yarde still has plenty to offer
WBO #1 Lyndon Arthur (19-0, 13KOs) is disappointed not to be fighting for a world title yet, but he believes a rematch against domestic rival Anthony Yarde (21-2, 20KOs) still has plenty to offer.
'King Arthur' is the Commonwealth and WBO Intercontinental light-heavyweight champion and faces Yarde on December 4, a day shy of the anniversary of their 2020 bout, which the Mancunaian underdog won on points.
World title contender Yarde disputes the outcome of that fight, when two judges gave his opponent the win, but speaking to the BBC ahead of fight night, Arthur believes he was the clear victor.
"When I watch it back I think I'm winning the fight, pretty easily,” the 30-year-old champion asserted.
From Manchester, Arthur continued by saying he had planned to be stepping up a level in his next fight, but: "It's not that I wouldn't have done the rematch, it's if I had had it my way I'd be fighting for a world title now.
"He's my perfect dance partner at this stage in my career to take me to the next level.
"He's just an opponent to me. There's no animosity from my side. He's just an opponent and it's business."
"Me losing to him would have been worse than him losing to me because if I lose to him then I've got to a level I thought I was good enough for and been beat. Whereas if he loses to me he's still got the rematch and he stays a big name in boxing.
Arthur believes he is the obvious favourite for another win, saying: "He's going to have to change, but he'll gas. What people don't seem to understand is if he fights the same fight or a different fight, I am still going to win.”
Arthur is trained by Pat Barrett; Yarde by Tunde Ajayi. Their first encounter was very close, and their reunion is certain to be another tight battle too. Yarde was the aggressor in thier 2020 fixture, with Arthur boxing cleverly and accurately from on the backfoot, scoring excellent jabs. Yarde will be forced to make adjustments in the rematch. BBN's expert panel gave their predictions HERE
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