The next month promises to be an interesting and likely exciting time for the light heavyweight division.
Former two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde (26-3, 24 knockouts), rated at No. 4 by The Ring at light heavyweight, will be an interesting bystander.
Tomorrow evening, David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs), The Ring No. 2, will square off with David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), The Ring No. 8, at the T-Mobile, Las Vegas.
"I've seen Benavidez fight a couple of times, I haven't seen too much of Morrell, I've only seen his highlights," Yarde told The Ring. "I think right now Benavidez is on a trajectory, he's rapid, throws combination punches very well and he's looked comfortable against some world class opponents like [former WBC 175-pound titlist Oleksandr] Gvozdyk. I will give Benavidez the win."
Then, next month, we'll see undisputed/ Ring champion, Arthur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) and Ring No. 1, Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs), rematch in The Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 22.
"I see it being a repeat," said Yarde. "I think Beterbiev is going to get the win, but he could get the stoppage, if he goes to the body more."
On the undercard, two of Yarde's British rivals, Joshua Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs), Ring No. 3, and Callum Smith (30-2, 22 KOs), Ring No. 6, collide.
"It's an interesting matchup. It's very much a 50/50 fight," he said. "One being undefeated and one has only lost at world level. Buatsi is yet to fight at world level. I think it's definitely a 50/50 fight.
"Off recent performances and activity, I would go Buatsi. He hasn't tasted defeat. Beterbiev, I think took something out of Callum Smith. Based on them facts, I would lean toward Buatsi."
Yarde, who came up short against Sergey Kovalev (TKO 11) and Beterbiev (TKO 8) in spirited world title attempts will return against old rival Lyndon Arthur as part of the recently announced Fatal Fury: City of The Wolves card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on April 26.
The 33-year-old London power-puncher welcomes the opportunity to set the record straight once and for all.
"I think it's a very interesting matchup," he said. "There's a bit of bad blood there. We're both from the U.K. he's got his following, I've got mine. It's usually a good thing when you get a trilogy fight. It's one a piece on paper. I think we've both got a point to prove. He's going to want to avenge himself, I feel like there's unfinished business. I feel it's one where it's going to be exciting."
If Yarde can emerge victorious, he wants a third world title tilt.
"My main preference would be a Beterbiev rematch, as you know, it won Fight of The Year and it was a very close fight, with a few slight adjustments, I do think I can beat him," he proclaimed. "Second fight would be if Bivol wins, if I can get a taste of Bivol. I'm a person that is very ambitious on becoming a world champion.
"Third the Buatsi fight. If that could be for a world title fight, even better. Icing on the cake. If not, I think it would be a massive fight for the U.K. boxing fans."
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on Twitter@AnsonWainwr1ght