The rebuilding of Anthony Yarde’s career must wait a little longer as the London Light-heavyweight's comeback, scheduled for this Saturday, is now off. Yarde was set to face Germany’s Emin Atra in London this weekend on a show that also features his domestic rival, Callum Johnson. Yarde is now side-lined due to a tooth abscess.
Yarde’s fight with Atra was the initial platform in returning the former world title challenger to future big fights after he was sensationally defeated in December when taking on Lyndon Arthur in a battle where he was the heavy favourite.
Yarde was once recognised as one of British boxing’s best prospects, but after two defeats in his last four fights, time is running out for him to justify the hype that once accompanied him.
"I am frustrated, but it is what it is, and I won't rush anything," said Yarde when discussing his dental treatment. "It just makes me even more eager to get back out.
"It should take about two weeks. The tooth is next to my canine, so I am going to have to use a denture for a little while before having an implant. I definitely won't be out for long. The dentist lady literally laughed when I told her I had a fight coming up. It is one of those things, and I have just got to deal with it."
Promoter Frank Warren added, "It is disappointing for both Anthony and the viewers this time around, but the fight will go ahead on one of our forthcoming shows. However, we've got a great show to look forward to on Saturday, topped by the terrific British and Commonwealth middleweight title battle between Denzel Bentley and Felix Cash.
"I think everybody is looking forward to this one, plus we've got the return of Callum Johnson in a good fight against the experienced Emil Markic and our big heavyweight prospect David Adeleye back in action and looking to impress."