ANTHONY YARDE knows no-one can come to the rescue of opponent Tony Averlant in their fight this weekend – not even the French speaking waiter at today’s press conference.
The London fighter puts his unbeaten record, and the European title, on the line against Averlant at York Hall on Saturday night.
Yarde will be hoping to make things as uncomfortable as possible for his French opponent in the ring, on a similar level to the feeling Averlant will have felt at the traditional head-to head in London today.
A question was posed from the floor to Averlant, to how he had prepared for the fight and what he thought of his opponent.
A bemused look appeared on the face of the French boxer, before he said: “je ne parle pas anglais”.
Promoter Frank Warren asked for the translator to step forward, but he or she must have forgotten all about the pre-fight presser.
But in came one of the waiters in the adjoining restaurant to save the day.
Crouching beside Avalant he translated the French fighter’s words to explain that he “knew all about Yarde” and “respects him”.
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But with other duties elsewhere to carry on with, no more questions were posed to Averlant.
Speaking to SunSport, Yarde could not contain his delight at headlining the show in Bethnal Green.
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He said: “My second fight was in York Hall, and now I’ve thought there three or four times.
“I remember when I used to go to York Hall and just watch, and I’d be like ‘how are these people doing it’.
“Even though I was an amateur boxer at the time, I was like ‘how are these guys fighting professionally in this arena.
“You look back, I turned pro three years ago. If you look back how it’s gone, it’s been literally amazing.
“I thought they would take it slow with me, but because I’ve impressed and shown I’m levels above where I should be at, I’ve progressed quite quickly.”
Already a European title holder after just 14 fights, Yarde will not entertain talks of “when” and “where” for a world title just yet.
Describing how “focused” he is, Yarde said: “I am keeping my feet on the ground. I am taking one thing at a time, and what is in front of me right now is a Frenchman named Tony Averlant.
“He comes to fight, and he has a lot more experience than me.
“Each fight of my career I take just as important as the last. And I will keep it that way.”
Yarde headlines a packed boxing show this Saturday night at York Hall that also includes Daniel Dubois defending his Southern Area heavyweight title.
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