ANTHONY Yarde, one of British boxing’s forgotten men, returns to the ring on October 19 at the Copper Box Arena. The Hackney native was last seen beating up Marko Nikolic at the same venue in February. However, he has not faced a legal test since his hard-fought match against Artur Beterbiev in January 2023.

Rumors of a fight with Joshua Buatsi have been circulating for months, but nothing has happened yet. Now Yarde returns on Boxxer, supporting headliner Adam Azim-Ohara Davies. No opponent has yet been scheduled for the 33-year-old lithe heavyweight, who has a record of 25-3 (24 KOs).

Much of Yarde’s inaction stems from his desire to end his fruitful relationship with Frank Warren and try his luck elsewhere. With the likes of Buatsi, Craig Richards and Willy Hutchinson all in contention for the season in Riyad, that seems to be where the action is.

Currently ranked high in the WBO rankings (175), two of Yarde’s three losses came in good company as he was stopped by Sergei Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. Lyndon Arthur suffered a points defeat in 2020, which Yarde avenged a year later by knockout. The Copper Box has become something of a spiritual home for Anthony, who has boxed there seven times as a professional.

Other boxers scheduled to appear at the October 19 event include Michael McKinson fighting for the IBO title, Dan Azeez, Jeamie Tshikeva in a good domestic heavyweight fight, Fran Hennessy and Shannon Courtenay.

Terence Crawford faced hefty criticism from the promoter of one of his rivals for winning the WBO title, and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora was knocked out in sparring.

The pound-for-pound king commented on the situation in a video posted this week. Crawford told Bernie the Boxer: “If Fundora is licking his chops after my performance against Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked out Fundora in sparring.”

According to Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, the claims cannot be substantiated. Sampson stated that Fundora’s coach spoke with Madrimov’s coach, Joel Diaz, about Terrance Crawford’s viral statement. During Coach Diaz’s conversation with Coach Fundora, Diaz mentioned that Madrimov’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, was very concerned about false statements Crawford made during a sparring session that took place over five years ago, during which neither of them even touched the canvas.

Sampson added: “Per Madrimov and his entire team have stated that they have nothing but respect for Sebastian Fundora and his entire team and do not disregard lies and disrespect. Coach Fundora responded that “Team Diaz,” Madrimov’s coaching team, is family to him. Everyone has known each other from the Coachella Valley since childhood.

It noted: “The boxing community in the Coachella Valley is extremely tight-knit. We all respect each other for the work we put into our boxers. Coaching etiquette is an unwavering rule that we all follow. There are many ways to fight professionally without fabrication and frustration. Let me repeat: Madrimov and his team are God-fearing people and it is very unlikely that they would ever speak ill of Sebastian Fundora, his sparring sessions and the team. No amount of facts or truth will convince a simpleton that he is wrong.

Lewkowicz urged Crawford to step in and admit he was wrong.

“Terence Crawford should apologize for his naivety,” Lewkowicz said. “A great master like him should be above this kind of childishness.”

The bad blood that exists between both camps could intensify a planned bidding war between Fundora and Crawford for a potential unification of the WBA, WBO and WBC titles.

Crawford was expected to walk away from the auction scheduled for October 10 and take the rest of the year off. This scenario would allow Fundora to face Errol Spence. But since Lewkowicz said, “There’s no need for a champion like Crawford to engage in school gossip,” the multi-tasking champion may believe he has something to prove.

Lewkowicz concluded by saying that it is likely that there will be a Crawford vs. Fundora fight.

“The fight will already take place. Trying to ridicule the unified world champion by spreading stupid rumors is bad business for Crawford. You are 37 years senior. Instead, devote your time to training. You’ll need it.

Nick Ball was in good spirits at today’s final press conference ahead of his first defense of the WBA featherweight title against Ronny Rios.

Ball will face Rios next Saturday at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in front of a wild crowd. Ball will return to boxing in his hometown for the first time since 2020, and has spent his last two fights in Saudi Arabia – his first was a controversial draw with WBC champion Rey Vargas, followed by a victory over Raymond Ford to win the world title.

Ball is thrilled to have the opportunity to fight in front of his beloved Liverpool crowd and will share the stage with four of his stablemates from Everton’s buzzing Red Triangle gym.

“This event is huge, isn’t it, that it’s in Liverpool, my hometown,” Ball told BoxingScene. “Everyone supports me, they will come out to support me, and in previous fights they were not able to come. So this one they can, so I have to put on a show for them.

“The gym is flying, we are all flying in the gym together and we are going to put on a show for everyone who comes. It will be a special evening.”

Ball has become one of British boxing’s biggest talents in recent years, and his promoter, Frank Warren, has plans for him to become one of British boxing’s top stars. Such plans could go up in smoke if Ball lost to Rios on Saturday night.

Rios, now 34, is a veteran and will be making his third attempt at a world title. At today’s press conference, Rios was vocal about how his experience would be the key to victory. But Ball isn’t worried about that.

“Every opponent is perilous,” Ball said. “Boxing is boxing and when you go in there it’s perilous, you know. We all know this is what we signed up for, but I don’t focus too much on how perilous it could be. I’m the one worried about that, not him.

Ball and many boxing fans believe he should defend his two world titles on Saturday night after being awarded only a draw by the WBC against Vargas in his title fight. The current WBA champion has plans to win the celebrated green belt he was denied, as well as his remaining titles, if he defeats Rios on Saturday.

“I want the one who has the belts,” he said. “Yes, take it [WBC] belt, they will become united and undisputed, so yes, first place. Of course, I’m the world champion now, there are three more belts, I have to get them.”