Two hard-hitting fighters will face off for light-heavyweight gold on January 28. Artur Beterbiev defends the WBC, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles against Anthony Yarde.
The fight takes place inside London’s Wembley Arena.
The winner of the bout could end up having a busy year. A fight against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for all the gold is on the line.
Who else will be competing on the fight card? From title fights to prospects looking to showcase their skills, here is an in-depth look at the Beterbiev-Yarde undercard.
MORE: Sign up to watch Artur Beterbiev vs. Anthony Yarde, exclusively on ESPN+
Artem Dalakian vs. David Jimenez (WBA flyweight title)
Artem Dalakian defends the WBA flyweight title against David Jimenez. Dalakian (21-0) made his pro debut in 2011. A WBA Continental (Europe) flyweight champion, Dalakian beat Brian Viloria in 2018 for the WBA flyweight title. He has successfully defended the title five times. Dalakian’s last fight was a TKO win in November 2021 against Luis Concepcion.
A bronze medalist in the 2015 Pan American Games, Jimenez (12-0) made his pro debut in 2019. He won three fights in 2022, his last fight a majority decision win over Ricardo Rafael Sandoval in July.
Willy Hutchinson vs. Emil Markic
In light-heavyweight action, Willy Hutchinson faces Emil Markic. A 2016 gold medalist in the Youth World Championships, Hutchinson (15-1) made his pro debut in 2017. In 2021 he lost to Lennox Clarke for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles. Hutchinson has rebounded and is on a two-fight win streak. His last fight was a TKO win against Luca Spadicini in November.
Markic (33-3) made his pro debut in 2012. A WBU light-heavyweight champion, Markic lost to Callum Johnson in April 2021 for the WBO Global light-heavyweight title. He rebounded in December of that year, beating Achilles Szabo via retirement.
MORE: All you need to know about Artur Beterbiev vs. Anthony Yarde
Karol Itauma vs. Ezequiel Maderna
Karol Itauma battles Ezequiel Maderna for the WBC International light-heavyweight title. A 2018 gold medalist in the Youth Olympic Games, Itauma (9-0) turned pro in 2020. He won four fights in 2022, his last bout a TKO win against Vladimir Belujsky in December.
Maderna (28-10) made his pro debut in 2008. The 36-year-old lost to Beterviev in 2016 for the WBA-NABA light-heavyweight title. He is 1-4 in his last five fights, his last bout a knockout win over Maximiliano Agustin Corso in December.
Charles Frankham vs. Joshua Ocampo
In super-featherweight action, Charles Frankham faces Joshua Ocampo. Frankham (6-0) made his pro debut in 2019. “Boom Boom” last fought in May 2022, beating Sandeep Singh Bhatti via points. Ocampo (8-10-4) made his pro debut in 2017. He is 1-8-2 in his last eleven fights and is on an eight-fight losing streak. Ocampo’s previous bout was a unanimous decision loss against Martin Parlagi in December.
Umar Khan vs. Sandeep Singh Bhatti
In featherweight action, Umar Khan faces Sandeep Singh Bhatti. Khan (5-0) turned pro in 2021. He last fought in November, beating Alexander Taylor via points. All of his wins have come via points. Bhatti (8-5) turned pro in 2018. He is 2-3 in his last five fights and lost his last bout in December against Isaac Lowe.
MORE: Making the case for Yarde’s upset potential vs. Beterbiev
Sean Noakes vs. Santiago Garces
Down the card, it’s Sean Noakes vs. Santiago Garces in welterweight action. Noakes (3-0) made his pro debut in May 2022. His last fight was in November, beating Petar Aleksandrov via points. Garces (4-12-3) made his pro debut in 2021. The 20-year-old fought 18 times in 2022. On a 12-fight losing streak, Garces last fought in December, losing to Ben Marksby via points.
Tommy Fletcher vs. Darryl Sharp
Tommy Fletcher faces Darryl Sharp in cruiserweight action. Fletcher (3-0) has won all three of his bouts (all in 2022) via TKO. His last fight was in November, beating Jiri Krejci. Sharp (7-96-1) made his pro debut in 2016. He had a 14-fight losing streak snapped in his last fight in December, beating Andy Simpson.
