Anthony Yarde wants Joe Smith Jr. fight after win over Lyndon Arthur

Anthony Yarde is keen on a Joe Smith Jr. fight after his successful rematch against Lyndon Arthur.

The 30-year-old British light heavyweight lost to Arthur last year in an upset, when fans were still not allowed in to watch events as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to the DAZN Boxing Show, Yarde acknowledged that the defeat, coupled with losing close family members to Covid, had made it a tough period.

“I'm very, very, very, very grateful. It was a long year for me. Very, very long year. Stay focused on getting the job done. Yes, sir,” he said.

Speaking of how he dealt with the grief, he said: “My thing was, be professional, be professional.

“I try not to mix my emotion with boxing. Because boxing to me is a happy space. It's a happy space, or I don't want to do a transition between the two.”

Asked about a shot against Joe Smith Jr., who Yarde said he wants another chance to fight for a title, but knows that it may not be an easy route to fight for the WBO strap.

“Yeah, but you know, it's just there's a lot of politics involved,” he said.

“I've always just stayed in my lane. When the opportunity comes... that's what I get excited [about] because I've seen this in boxing before, so many times to me as well.”