Peacock fighter earns fourth-round stoppage win
Anthony Yarde hardly had time to celebrate his first title success at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday before setting his sights on a new challenge.
The Peacock gym’s new Southern Area light-heavyweight king meets tough Hungarian Richard Baranyi for the WBO European belt at the same venue on July 8.
Yarde whose record now stands at 11 straight victories including 10 KOs, clearly takes a step up in class against his next rival who will be going for his 19th success in 20 outings.
However, the way Yarde power-punched reigning area champion Chris Hobbs to a fourth-round defeat indicated more honours were on the way.
The local fighter, trained by Tunde Ajayi at the Canning Town gym, produced a relentless body assault that saw serving solider Hobbs crash to defeat.
The champion crumbled to the canvas half a dozen times before his corner signalled surrender and Hobbs protested about the stoppage, but the decision was right.
Yarde said: ”Chris was a tough brave opponent but it was great to get my first belt and there will be more on the way.”
Another hot Peacock prospect, heavyweight Daniel Dubois, needed just 40 seconds to pole-axe Sheffield giant Dave Howe.
It was a classic one-punch KO, as a booming right to the jaw saw the northern fighter crash to the canvas and referee Jeff Hinds promptly signalled the finish.
“I enjoyed that, it was good to find the shot that put him away so quickly,” said Dubois, who is trained by Peacock boss Martin Bowers and also joins the supporting card for Billy Joe Saunders’ world title fight on July 8.
Meanwhile, Peacock’s super-welterweight Sam McNess looks for a Southern Area title bid on July 8 after his clear points win over Latvian Zaurs Sadihovs on Saturday.
It was the seventh straight success for McNess, who floored Sadihovs in the first round on his way to a six-round points success and said: ”It was good to get on my record – now I want that Area title.”
n Newham-based boxers are booked for action at promoter Mick Helliett’s York Hall show on Saturday, topped by Phillip Bowes’ English title bid against Sunderland’s Glenn Foot.
Unbeaten in 10 fights Onder Ozgul and new pro Tony Buttiegieg appear on a supporting card also due to feature Robin Dupre, Tony Milch and Asina Byfield.
Former Olympian Lawrence Okolie goes for his third pro win when he faces Russ Henshaw on the Kell Brook v Errol Spence world title bill at Bramall Lane, Sheffield on Saturday night.
n Peacock amateur boxers came good with six impressive wins on their open-air show at Barking United Services club on Saturday, headed by powerful welterweight Mantas Kirillia.
Hard-hitting Kirillia powered to a slam-bang win over Impact BC rival Yashir Haxhu who survived standing counts as the Peacock boxer took a points verdict.
Marcus Vanabbe showed hard hitting form as he halted Milton Keynes rival Matt Smirnov in the third round of another exciting contest.
And Peacock’s Emmanuel Aloa also looked promising as he overcame Eric Akwuba from Balham BC, shaking his rival with rights on his way to victory.
Peacock’s Avi Patel swapped solid shots with Mo Davishi (Battersea) and took a hard earned decision, while Ivo Odiefe also entertained the home supporters with a hard hitting victory over London Military club rival Steve Oduntan.
In a clash between east London rivals it was home favourite Ray Baule who took control against Broad Street Stepney rival Egis Zukus to close the show with another Peacock win.
Going down to a battling defeat in Peacock colours Rahim Lake dropped the decision after a toe-to-toe encounter against Holland Park rival Bill Hamilton.
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