Lyndon Arthur knows that his world title hopes hinge on him beating Anthony Yarde when the light heavyweight contenders meet for the third time at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26th.

The middleweight grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will headline Ring Magazine’s first-ever boxing card but the vitriol and hatred between the two is overshadowing an undercard which hosts some intriguing, important clashes.

One of those fights is the the trilogy match between Arthur, 24-2 (16 KOs), and Yarde, 26-3 (24 KOs).

Back in December 2020, Arthur sprung an upset by outboxing Yarde over twelve rounds. Arthur concentrated almost solely on his spearing jab and negated and frustrated Yarde, earning a deserved split decision win.

Twelve months later - and after some protracted negotiations - the pair met in a rematch. This time, an out of sorts Arthur never got started and Yarde dominated proceedings, stopping the Mancunian in the fourth round.

Since then, both men have come up short in major world title fights.

In January 2023, Yarde challenged Artur Beterbiev for his unified light heavyweight titles and was stopped in the eighth round of a war. Later that year, Arthur lost a unanimous decision to then WBA champion, Dmitry Bivol.

Both fighters are still desperate to reenter the world title picture but are equally ware that they must earn their opportunity by scoring a meaningful win.

The news that they had agreed to rekindle their rivalry caused some eyebrows to raise but with unified and Ring Magazine champion, Bivol and Beterbiev close to agreeing a deal for their own trilogy bout and David Benevidez only recently being conformed as the WBC champion, the third fight makes sense.

It allows Yarde and Arthur to settle their own personal series and the winner will put themselves in an excellent bargaining position for a future title shot. The loser will find themselves in a difficult position.

Word from Manchester’s Collyhurst and Moston gym is that Arthur has been putting in the work ahead of what could prove to be a make or break night.

“I don’t wanna lose. I never wanted to lose but now I really, really, really, really, really don’t wanna lose,” Arthur told Boxing Now.

“I know he can beat me because he’s done it. I know I have to be on point and switched on the whole time I’m in the ring with him.

“I don’t care what people say. The don’t have to watch it if they don’t want to see it. Either way, it’s happening.

“With where the light heavyweight division is, I think it’ll speak for itself what will happen for the winner. There’s a lot of big fights both domestically and worldwide. I think Bivol is fighting Beterbiev again and I think the WBC title has gone to Benevidez so I think there’s gonna be fights everywhere.”