The latest boxing news from Newham

Power-puncher Anthony Yarde has demolished most of his 17 victims at venues around east London, but now looks to the west coast of America for win number 18 on Saturday night.

The Peacock Gym-based light heavyweight still waits for his opponent to be confirmed on the undercard of Deontay Wilder’s WBC world heavyweight title defence against Tyson Fury as Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

It is a second US visit for the explosive Yarde following on from his 2016 trip to Texas, where he crushed Rayford Johnson in the first round on the night of Liam Smith’s WBO world super welterweight title defence against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

“I’ve experienced the fight scene in the USA before and it is something I cannot wait to sample again,” commented Yarde, who has stopped 16 rivals.

“To be a part of such a huge occasion like this will be something else and it will only inspire me to create nights like this for myself in the future.

“These are the events you can only dream of being a part of and I am looking forward to showcasing my talents to the American public.

“This sort of exposure can only help me for when the time is right for me to be challenging for and winning world titles.”

Tunde Ajayi, who is Yarde’s manager and trainer, added: “We have put a lot into the sport since before Anthony came into professional boxing and from that point to where we are now has been constant work.

“I just feel that his hard work warrants being involved on such a great card.”

It looks set to be a big weekend for Yarde.

*Cruiserweight Mark Little, a worker at Newham’s Tate & Lyle factory, looks for his 10th straight win at York Hall on Saturday.

Little faces Lithuanian Dimitrij Kalinovskij on a 17-bout bill topped by the English light-heavyweight title fight between Miles Shinkwin and Joel McIntyre.

*Fairbairn’s Joshua Gustave will compete in the NACYP finals in Manchester on Thursday after beating Wales’ Will Harding in their semi-final.