There were raised eyebrows and wrinkled foreheads when Anthony Yarde walked on the scale before his highly anticipated 2023 fight with Artur Beterbiev and saw the number that blinked back: 174¼ pounds. For both ordinary viewers and boxing insiders, the figure appeared absurdly low for a man with such a noticeable build. Yarde appears more like a cruiserweight than someone dancing on the edge of the light-heavyweight limit, with shoulders that taper into granite biceps and a torso that appears to be carved from hardwood. His weight sparked conjecture in addition to being noted. How can a man who has that much bulk maintain his weight under 175 pounds without losing vital strength?
Yarde’s weight strategy seems almost legendary in the context of contemporary boxing, where metrics for performance are analyzed with almost clinical precision. The fighter from Ilford, known as the “Beast from the East,” has never relied on the traditional bulking techniques that are common in top training facilities. In an interview that went viral among fans, Yarde acknowledged, “I don’t really touch heavy weights.” That one sentence completely changed preconceptions. Don’t deadlift. Don’t do any bench presses. No dumbbell exercises. Rather, Yarde uses only bodyweight training, resistance exercises, and quick boxing motions, which is a very good way to maintain muscle mass and range of motion.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Fight Weight | 174¼ lbs (Light Heavyweight) |
| Apparent Physique | Appears 190–200 lbs due to muscular build |
| Training Style | Bodyweight exercises, no heavy lifting |
| Strength Focus | Explosiveness, timing, and mobility |
| Rehydration Estimate | Believed to rehydrate 20–25 lbs post-weigh-in |
| Trainer | Tunde Ajayi |
| Future Ambition | Three-weight world champion (including Cruiserweight and Heavyweight) |
| Potential Rivals | Chris Billam-Smith, Lawrence Okolie |
| Boxing Philosophy | “Timing beats speed; precision beats power” |
Yarde prioritizes agility and quickness of response over traditional weightlifting, which is important for a fighter who relies on powerful power punches and quick counters. Despite being unorthodox, his method has been very effective. He performs at his most explosive level while staying within the weight restrictions of his division by maintaining a dense, defined frame without adding extra bulk. This tactic has significantly increased his speed and endurance over time. Yarde has used movement-specific conditioning to shape his body rather than chasing muscle mass, which has proven especially helpful in late-round encounters where exhaustion frequently decides the outcome of a fight.
Disbelief endures, however. Fans have frequently expressed their perplexity on social media, with many speculating that he needs to rehydrate by up to 25 pounds following weigh-ins. One Reddit user commented, “He looks like he’s 200 pounds by fight night,” which was a common observation. Although fighters frequently rehydrate quickly, doing so safely and successfully is a delicate science. Under the direction of veteran trainer Tunde Ajayi, Yarde’s team appears to have perfected that balance. Strict dietary planning and targeted weight loss have allowed them to walk the fine line between physical exhaustion and optimal performance.
The story goes beyond Anthony Yarde’s physical metamorphosis. His underlying mental discipline is what really makes him unique. Before he ever stepped into a ring, he watched street fights while grew up in Stratford, East London. He once recalled the setting that molded him, saying, “There were always arguments and altercations.” More than just resilience was developed by those early experiences; they also produced an intuitive fighter with a keen sense of presence and timing. Yarde claims that when he felled a would-be robber at the age of 12, he realized he had natural power. That early experience solidified an identity based on strength and self-preservation, which continue to drive his fighting philosophy to this day.
That same unadulterated intensity is evident in his training routine. Yarde dedicates himself to a routine that combines mental acuity with technical mastery six days a week. Notably, his exercises aim to improve his intuition in addition to strengthening his body. He frequently tells interviewers that boxing is the “most unforgiving sport.” There are no second chances for you. Months of preparation can be undone with a single ill-timed blow or a moment of hesitation. His preferred weapon is timing rather than physical strength because of this. He states with astonishing clarity, “You can have all the speed in the world, but if you don’t connect, it’s a waste of energy.”
In the future, Yarde plans to scale up his goals. He stated in a 2025 interview that he wants to win the three-weight world title. Cruiserweight and possibly even heavyweight are already on his radar as possible destinations. This is a logical progression, not just a show of confidence. His punching ability is known to be transferable across classes, and his frame can easily accommodate additional weight. Making the switch to cruiserweight would relieve the strain of reducing to 175 pounds, which might lead to even more dramatic performances. Fighters like Oleksandr Usyk and Roy Jones Jr. have successfully moved between weight classes throughout boxing history, frequently reinventing themselves with each ascent. It appears that Yarde is getting ready for a similar change.
This development might pave the way for exciting bouts, maybe against Chris Billam-Smith or Lawrence Okolie, who both dominate the British cruiserweight scene. These bouts provide contrasting stylistic challenges. Yarde’s timing would be tested by Billam-Smith’s technical skill, while Okolie’s strength and reach might force him into uncharted territory. However, Yarde’s most underappreciated quality is still his versatility. He’s not only a fighter. He is a problem-solver who assesses risk, reads angles, and makes rash decisions with startling accuracy. Regardless of weight class, he is extremely dangerous due to these attributes.
