'It's due to be a barn shoot-out!'

ANTHONY Yarde was always confident another world title opportunity would come his way and predicts a “barn shootout” with WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez today.

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David Benavidez, left, and Anthony Yarde face off during a press conference for the Ring IV: Night of the Champions Fight Night

(RICHARD PELHAM/GETTY)

British boxer Yarde was involved in a thriller with Artur Beterbiev at the start of 2023 at Wembley Arena and hurt the pound-for-pound great, but failed in his improbable bid to unify the 175lbs division when his corner stopped the fight in the eighth round.

The 34-year-old was unable to use his gutsy display against Beterbiev asa springboard.

But after low-key wins over Jorge Silva, Marko Nikolic and Ralfs Vil-ans were followed by a successful trilogy against old rival Lyndon Arthur, Saudi kingpin Turki Alalshikh personally requested Yarde.

Asked if he feared no further world title shot, Yarde (27-3, 24KOs) told the PA news agency: “Absolutely not. I know what I bring to the table andI am ranked very high.