Tony Bellew believes that Anthony Yarde’s performance against Artur Beterbiev shows better fighters could beat the unified champion.
The British mandatory challenger for the WBO acquitted himself well despite an eighth-round stoppage, which represented the unbeaten light heavyweight champion’s 19th straight knockout in 19 professional fights.
Nonetheless Bellew, himself a former champion at 175lbs, thinks that Beterbiev’s age is now a weakness.
“I think Anthony Yarde’s performance was really good. I thought he done really well,” he told The DAZN Boxing Show.
“I think Beterbiev is slowing down. Father time waits for no one and I’ve said this for quite some time now, [he] had vulnerability even before the Callum Johnson fight. Callum Johnson reaffirmed them.
“You have to look at the signature wins of his career and I think we’re right in saying that Joe Smith is probably the best win of his career on paper.”
Bellew continued, suggesting that the 38-year-old is now showing signs of wear and tear.
He added: “But it’s just the age, he’s getting older and slower and he gets hit a lot more. Anthony Yarde isn’t the biggest puncher in the light heavyweight division. He’s come across bigger punchers, but he’s been hit several times now. Anyone who wants to stand up and trade away will probably come unstuck, because his strength will come through.
“But if you get someone who’s a clever counter-puncher, who can catch and counter, i.e. Callum Smith, I just believe he’s tailor made. If I’m training Callum Smith or Canelo Alvarez that there’s a style here, and you guys do it brilliantly, you can beat him.
“I just think he’s there for the taking. I think Bivol will beat him as well, comfortably.”