Anthony Yarde has become one of the most recognisable names in British light-heavyweight boxing. Known to fans as The Beast from the East, the London-born fighter has built his reputation through explosive knockout power, major championship opportunities and a willingness to face some of the toughest opponents in the division.
Born on 13 August 1991, Yarde is 35 years old in 2026. He stands 6ft tall and fights from an orthodox stance. His professional record is 27 wins and four defeats, with 24 victories coming by knockout, giving him one of the more impressive finishing records among Britain’s leading light-heavyweights.
What makes his story particularly interesting is the unusual route he took to the top. Yarde had very limited amateur experience before turning professional in 2015, yet he progressed quickly and eventually shared the ring with world champions including Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, as well as elite contender David Benavidez.
Who Is Anthony Yarde?
Is a British professional boxer who has competed primarily in the light-heavyweight division. He was born in London and developed his boxing career from an unconventional starting point, eventually becoming a major British contender and a regular name in discussions surrounding the world title picture.
Yarde became a professional in 2015 after gaining only limited amateur experience. His rapid development attracted attention because he began producing knockout victories consistently and quickly moved towards increasingly difficult opposition.
His professional career has since included domestic rivalries, European-level success and multiple world-title challenges. Although he has yet to win a recognised world championship, the quality of his opposition has established him as a serious figure in the division.
Anthony Yarde Age, Height and Personal Profile
Anthony Yarde was born on 13 August 1991, making him 35 years old in 2026. He is listed at 6ft, or 183cm, and competes as an orthodox light-heavyweight.
His physical strength has always been one of the most noticeable aspects of his boxing. Yarde combines his height and athletic build with considerable punching power, which has helped him become a dangerous opponent even against experienced fighters.
His professional statistics also reflect that reputation. With 24 knockout victories from 27 wins, a large majority of his successful fights have ended inside the distance.
Anthony Yarde Boxing Record
Yarde’s professional record stands at 27 wins, four losses and no draws, with 24 of his victories coming by knockout.
The numbers underline his reputation as a power puncher. Rather than relying heavily on judges’ scorecards, Yarde has often looked for opportunities to hurt opponents and finish fights.
His four defeats, however, are also important when assessing his career. They have come against Lyndon Arthur, Sergey Kovalev, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez, giving his record a clear connection with high-level opposition.
That combination of victories and difficult challenges makes his career more meaningful than simply looking at his win percentage. Yarde has repeatedly stepped into the ring against fighters capable of competing for major titles.
How Did Anthony Yarde Start Boxing?
Yarde did not follow the traditional route taken by many professional boxers. Instead of spending many years building an extensive amateur record, he developed an interest in boxing as a teenager before eventually committing himself seriously to the sport.
He was raised in East London and trained at a youth club in the area. Boxing gradually became a major part of his life, although he also explored other sports before returning his attention to the ring.
His amateur career remained relatively short. He ultimately turned professional in May 2015 and began working with trainer Tunde Ajayi.
That decision proved significant. Yarde quickly began building an unbeaten professional record and became known for his ability to finish opponents, earning the nickname The Beast from the East as his profile grew.
Why Is Anthony Yarde Called The Beast From the East?
The nickname The Beast from the East became closely associated with Yarde during his rise through British boxing.
The name reflects his East London background as well as the aggressive and powerful nature of his boxing. His knockout-heavy record helped reinforce the image, particularly during the early stages of his professional career when he was stopping opponents regularly.
The nickname has remained part of his public identity throughout his career. It is now strongly associated with his reputation as a physically powerful British light-heavyweight.
Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur
The rivalry with Lyndon Arthur is one of the most memorable chapters of Yarde’s career.
The first fight took place in December 2020 and ended with Arthur winning by split decision. The result represented a major setback for Yarde because it ended his unbeaten professional record.
Rather than allowing the defeat to derail his career, Yarde immediately had the opportunity to respond. The rematch in December 2021 produced a completely different outcome when Yarde stopped Arthur in the fourth round.
The victory restored his momentum and demonstrated his ability to learn from a defeat. The rivalry later developed into a trilogy, with the third meeting taking place in April 2025.
Yarde won that contest by unanimous decision, giving him two victories over Arthur after losing their first encounter.
The three fights became an important part of his British boxing résumé because they showed different aspects of his career, from suffering his first professional defeat to producing a dramatic knockout and eventually securing a decision victory.
Anthony Yarde vs Sergey Kovalev
One of the biggest moments of Yarde’s early career came in August 2019 when he challenged Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light-heavyweight championship.
Kovalev was an experienced world champion and had spent years competing at the highest level. Yarde, by comparison, was entering his first world-title fight with considerably less experience.
Despite the difference in experience, Yarde showed why his power had attracted so much attention. He pushed Kovalev into difficult moments and demonstrated that he could compete physically with a world champion.
The contest eventually turned against him in the later rounds. Kovalev stopped Yarde in the 11th round to retain his championship.
The defeat was disappointing, but the performance significantly increased Yarde’s international profile. He had travelled into hostile territory and taken an established champion deep into a world-title fight.
Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev
Yarde received another major world-title opportunity when he faced Artur Beterbiev in January 2023.
The fight was particularly intriguing because both men possessed serious knockout power. Beterbiev was already regarded as one of the most dangerous punchers in world boxing, while Yarde entered the contest with an established reputation for explosive finishing ability.
Yarde competed aggressively but was eventually stopped in the eighth round.
Beterbiev’s pressure and experience proved decisive, but the contest once again demonstrated Yarde’s willingness to accept the most difficult challenges available to him.
For many fighters, reaching one world-title fight represents the high point of a career. Yarde had already managed to secure multiple opportunities against elite champions.
David Benavidez vs Anthony Yarde
The most recent major test of Yarde’s career came against David Benavidez on 22 November 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The contest represented another significant opportunity for Yarde to prove himself at the highest level. Benavidez entered the fight as one of the leading fighters in the light-heavyweight division, while Yarde was attempting to make another serious push towards championship success.
Benavidez ultimately stopped Yarde in the seventh round.
The result moved Yarde’s professional record to 27-4 and represented his third unsuccessful attempt to win a recognised world championship.
Although the result was not what Yarde wanted, the fight added another elite name to his résumé. His willingness to compete against Kovalev, Beterbiev and Benavidez remains an important part of how his career should be assessed.
What Is Anthony Yarde’s Boxing Style?
Yarde is primarily known for his aggressive approach and heavy punching power. He prefers to apply physical pressure and create opportunities for damaging combinations rather than simply attempting to outpoint opponents from long range.
His strength can become particularly effective when he establishes his preferred distance. Once he finds his rhythm, he can put opponents under considerable pressure and force them into exchanges.
However, elite-level boxing requires more than power. Yarde’s biggest fights have shown the importance of pacing, defence, distance management and experience, particularly against opponents who can maintain pressure for long periods.
This is one reason his career has developed into more than a story about knockouts. His biggest fights have provided valuable lessons about what is required to compete consistently at world championship level.
What Are Anthony Yarde’s Biggest Strengths?
Yarde’s greatest weapon is undoubtedly his punching power. His record of 24 knockouts from 27 victories demonstrates how frequently he has been able to end fights before the final bell.
His physical strength is another major advantage. He can compete aggressively at close range and is capable of putting opponents under pressure when exchanges become physical.
Experience is also becoming increasingly important. Although Yarde entered professional boxing with limited amateur experience, he has now competed against several of the biggest names in the light-heavyweight division.
His willingness to take risks is both a strength and an important part of his identity. Yarde has repeatedly accepted fights where the consequences of defeat were significant.
What Are Anthony Yarde’s Main Challenges?
Yarde’s career has also shown that raw power alone is not enough to guarantee championship success.
Against elite opponents, controlling distance and managing energy become crucial. Fighters who can maintain a high pace, minimise clean exchanges and force Yarde to work consistently can reduce the impact of his power.
His three world-title defeats are therefore useful learning experiences. Each contest has exposed him to different tactical challenges and provided another opportunity to develop as a professional.
At 35, the physical and tactical demands of boxing become even more important. The next stage of his career will depend heavily on preparation, matchmaking and how effectively he uses the experience gained from his biggest fights.
Anthony Yarde’s Career Achievements
Although Yarde has not yet won a recognised world championship, his professional career contains several significant achievements.
He built an impressive knockout record, became one of Britain’s leading light-heavyweights and established himself as a regular contender for major championship opportunities.
His career résumé includes world-title challenges against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev, as well as his major contest with David Benavidez. His rivalry with Lyndon Arthur also produced three high-profile domestic fights.
Another important achievement is the speed of his rise. With relatively little amateur experience, Yarde managed to progress from professional debutant to world-title challenger in only a few years.
That trajectory helped establish him as one of the most recognisable British fighters in his weight class.
Anthony Yarde Latest News in 2026
Interest in Yarde’s future remains strong following his defeat by Benavidez.
At 35, his next decision could have a major influence on the remainder of his career. Another attempt to move towards a world title would require careful matchmaking and a strong return, while a major domestic fight could provide a different route back into the spotlight.
There has also been public discussion around a potential fight with Ben Whittaker. Whittaker has spoken positively about the possibility of facing Yarde, but interest in a matchup should not be confused with an officially confirmed fight.
Yarde’s team has continued to discuss his return, meaning his career is not necessarily finished. Until a bout is formally announced, however, any specific opponent or date should be treated as a potential development rather than confirmed news.
Who Could Anthony Yarde Fight Next?
The identity of Yarde’s next opponent is one of the biggest questions surrounding his career.
A domestic fight could make considerable sense because Yarde remains a recognisable British name with an established fan base. A matchup against another highly ranked contender could also provide a route back towards the championship picture.
Another possibility would be a carefully selected comeback fight. After competing against some of the best fighters in the division, a less demanding contest could allow Yarde to regain confidence and activity before taking another major step.
The decision will ultimately depend on what Yarde and his team believe offers the best balance between risk, reward and career progression.
Is Still a World-Class Boxer?
Calling Yarde a current world champion would be inaccurate because he has not won a recognised world title. However, describing him as a fighter who has competed around world level is reasonable given the quality of opponents he has faced.
His contests with Kovalev, Beterbiev and Benavidez demonstrate that he has repeatedly been willing to test himself against elite opposition.
His knockout power also means that he remains capable of creating problems for highly ranked opponents. Few fighters can completely ignore the threat posed by someone with Yarde’s finishing ability.
The bigger question is whether he can turn that ability into another sustained championship run. At 35, there is less room for mistakes, making his next few fights particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has Anthony Yarde lost to?
He has suffered four professional defeats, losing to Sergey Kovalev, Lyndon Arthur, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez. Three of those defeats came by stoppage, while the first meeting with Arthur ended in a split decision.
What is Anthony Yarde’s ethnicity?
Yarde is of mixed British and French heritage. He was born in Hackney, London, and has British nationality, while reports about his family background have noted his French roots.
Is Anthony Yarde related to Tyson Fury?
There is no reliable evidence that the two boxers are related. They are both British heavyweight or light-heavyweight boxing figures who have attracted major attention in the UK, but they come from different family backgrounds.
How good is Anthony Yarde?
Yarde is an accomplished professional contender with a strong knockout record and experience against elite opposition. He has won 27 professional fights, including 24 by knockout, and has challenged for a world title three times. His defeats to Kovalev, Beterbiev and Benavidez show the difficulty of competing at the very highest level, but his willingness to face those opponents also demonstrates his standing in the sport.
Conclusion
Anthony Yarde has built one of the more distinctive careers in British light-heavyweight boxing. His journey from limited amateur experience to major world-title challenges is a testament to his ambition, natural ability and willingness to take difficult fights.
His professional record of 27 wins and four defeats includes 24 knockout victories, highlighting the power that has remained the foundation of his success. At the same time, defeats against Lyndon Arthur, Sergey Kovalev, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez have provided important lessons about the demands of elite boxing.
At 35, Yarde now enters an important stage of his career. A carefully chosen comeback could put him back into the conversation for major fights, while another difficult assignment could determine whether a world-title ambition remains realistic.
Whatever happens next, his résumé already includes some of the biggest names of his era. For British boxing fans, the question is no longer whether Yarde can compete at a high level, but whether he has one more major run left in him.
