Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev LIVE RESULT: Yarde AHEAD on two scorecards before being stopped in thriller

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Anthony Yarde's bloody, brilliant and brave world title shot ended in heartbreak again.

The 31-year-old Hackney boxer took on Artur Beterbiev for the WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight titles and had to be dragged out by his corner to save himself from his own courage, after eight rounds.

The Beast from the East of London took on the Bond-villain at his own savage game and gave fans a thriller.

But he was beaten into submission and left almost unrecognisable by the pound-for-pound sensation.

After all the pantomime and fake-machismo from topless Tommy Fury and American YouTuber Jake Paul moments before in the Wembley arena ring - to flog their February 26 Saudi Arabia showdown - it was back to real boxing.

The Canada-based Russian arrived in London with over 300 amateur bouts, three world titles, two Olympics, 18 pro wins and a 100 per cent KO ratio.

Yarde only had 12 amateur fights - after being a football, rugby and athletics star - and had twice tasted defeat in the paid ranks.

The bookies had Yarde a huge underdog but he had seven years on his side and home advantage.

Yarde made the brighter start with fizzing jabs and a couple of lead-left hooks, he even seemed to stagger the terrifying 38-year-old with one blow but neither man was hurt in the opener.

Brutal Beterbiev’s pale white face was slapped red by the second and he didn’t like it one bit.

He pushed the brave Brit back into a corner and tried to bludgeon him.

But the Ilford ace ducked and dodged and landed more left hooks instead.

The crowd was starting to believe in their boy.

In the third Yarde lost his mouthguard so both boxers got a breather while it was cleaned and replaced.

The undefeated champ cracked Yarde’s ribs with a booming right hand and scored with more jabs, he was starting to find his timing and the tide felt like it was slowly turning against the Englishman.

Yarde’s second world title shot looked doomed at the start of the fourth when he was the target of a savage right hand and had his head rocked back by hammer-like jabs.

But the pretty boy showed hidden depths of fire and steel, wiping away his blood, slashing back and staying in the contest.

Beterbiev looked both terrifying and vulnerable at the same time. It was magnificent action.

Yarde lost his gumshield again at the start of the fifth, a worrying sign of early exhaustion as he gasped through his mouth instead of his nose.

But then Beterbiev was buzzed by an arrow of a Yarde right hand and looked in deep danger.

Somehow the Soviet beard absorbed the blow and he ended the round battering Yarde, the challenger did incredibly well to make the bell.

Yarde’s right eye was a mess by the time the sixth started, he needed a miracle to survive, let alone spring the upset.

Our man kept jabbing at his rival and dabbing at his oozing eye and then he caught a left hook that would have fallen anyone without a heart as huge as his.

By round seven Yarde had scythed a gash into Beterbiev’s left eye too. This was a brilliant bloodbath.

Yarde landed heavy scoring shots in the seventh but at the end of the session he got pinned into Beterbiev’s blue corner and took a pasting.

Yarde’s spirit looked broken in the eighth when he was finally floored and looked beaten.

But he somehow dragged himself off of the canvas to beat ref Steve Gray’s count and was desperate to continue.

But concerned trainer Tunde Ajayi had seen enough and threw in the towel to protect his man for another title tilt.

The champ speaks out

Beterbiev says: "You know every fight is different. Different feelings, different prepration, fighters are different.

"I can't say I did a bad fight but if I did it again, I would do better but I feel good.

"Every boxer in this category can punch hard and Anthony did too. Anthony is 31, he's young. I turned pro 28, he has time and I hope he does well in the future."

The champ speaks out

Beterbiev says: "You know every fight is different. Different feelings, different prepration, fighters are different.

"I can't say I did a bad fight but if I did it again, I would do better but I feel good.

"Every boxer in this category can punch hard and Anthony did too. Anthony is 31, he's young. I turned pro 28, he has time and I hope he does well in the future."

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 8 – YARDE IS DOWN!

Right hand from Beterbiev floors Yarde and he's cut from the left eye.

Here comes Beterbiev... and Yarde's corner have stopped the fight!

Beterbiev began to reign punches down but Yarde's corner stopped it while the challenger was on his feet.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 7 – Yarde targeting the body and forcing Beterbiev back, really good work by the challenger.

Beterbiev backs Yarde up to the ropes and they go blow-for-blow, amazing action.

But Beterbiev landed some really telling uppercuts and hooks there and looks to have hurt the brave British star.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 6 – Right hook from Beterbiev and Yarde is CUT.

Yarde lets his hands go, landing combinations to the body and leads off with his right hand.

Beterbiev has also slowed down, showing signs of wear and he is also sporting a cut on his left eye. Gruelling and great fight.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 5 – Yarde is starting to look marked up and shipping punishment.

But he comes back and lands a big left hook and then a right hand, forcing the champion back.

Massive end to the round for Yarde but Beterbiev defends well and gets through the round by pinning the challenger in the corner.

What. A. Round.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 4 – Beterbiev comes out the traps and pins Yarde in the corner, letting his hands go.

The Russian comes on strong and lands a series of blows which has Yarde in trouble.

Yarde lands a right hand but Beterbiev returns with his own which again shakes the Brit. Best round for the champ.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 3 – Yarde is still utilising his movement really well with the left hook working for him.

But Beterbiev is walking him down and looking to shoot hooks and right hands over the top.

A left hook from the Russian looks to have caught Yarde's attention.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 2 –Excellent action as the two punchers trade leather on the inside.

Yarde is finding home with his left hook but Beterbiev has landed some clubbing right hands on the inside.

The Russian looks to be finding his range well but Yarde is moving well and punching well in spirts.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 1 – Really good, fast start by Yarde.

He's landed a few good check left hooks as Beterbiev comes forward and connected with a two-punch combo.

But Beterbiev is stalking his man, taking his time and looks a daunting figure walking Yarde down.

Beterbiev vs Yarde

Round 1 - Here we go!

Yarde challenges for the light-heavyweight title for the second time in his career.

Beterbiev looks to make it 19 KOs in as many fights.

Beterbiev ring walk

And the champion Artur Beterbiev is now walking down the aisle.

Beterbiev has won ALL 18 of his fights by KO.

Can he do the same again against Yarde tonight?

Anthony Yarde ring walk

Here comes Yarde and as ever he does not look fazed at all by the fight.

It is a slow walk down to the ring as he takes it all in at Wembley Arena.

Yarde vs Beterbiev

The atmosphere is reaching fever pitch at Wembley Arena.

Sweet Caroline has been and gone.

We are just moments away from the ring walks now!

Yarde vs Beterbiev UP NEXT

We are just minutes away from the main event of Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev!

And my word what a main event it is.

Can Yarde do it against the fearsome Beterbiev?

Here is how the fighters compare...

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