Anthony Yarde vs Sergey Kovalev fight prediction, undercard, LIVE stream, UK start time and betting odds

London’s own Anthony Yarde is out cause a major upset and take the WBO light heavyweight title from Sergey Kovalev in the champion’s own backyard today.

Yarde has made a near-3000 mile trip for what will be his first world title challenge against Kovalev, a veteran of the 165lbs division who is the favourite to come out on top on home turf.

Hackney-born Yarde will enter the ring with a perfect professional record of 18 wins from 18 professional bouts with a fearsome knockout ratio of 94%.

Having dominated at domestic and European level, he takes a considerable step up as he attempts to dethrone Kovalev in his first real test on the world stage.

Yarde has youth on his side – along with some tremendous punching power and oodles of confidence to match his ambition.

He will need all of that as he heads deep into enemy territory to secure what would be a remarkable overseas victory for himself and British boxing.

Date, UK start time and venue

Kovalev vs Yarde takes place this evening at Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Ringwalks for the main event are expected at around 7:30pm BST with undercard coverage beginning at 5pm.

TV channel and live stream

The fight will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting from 5pm.

BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.

Betting odds | Provided by Betfair | Subject to change (UK and Ireland only)

Winner

• Kovalev to win: 8/15

• Yarde to win: 7/4

• Draw: 25/1

Method of victory

• Kovalev on points or decision: 7/2

• Kovalev via KO or TKO: 11/10

• Yarde on points or decision: 12/1

• Yarde via KO or TKO: 2/1

Prediction

Yarde's power means he can never be fully discounted but this is a huge step up for the Londoner who has never fought anyone close to Kovalev's calibre.

Questions remain over how much the Russian has left at the very top level at 36-years-old, but this fight might just be too soon for Yarde.

Kovalev has experience, a home crowd and world-class pedigree in his corner.

Kovalev to win on the judges' scorecards - and with Yarde to leave Russia with his reputation well and truly enhanced.

Undercard

• Aleksei Papin vs Ilunga Makabu

• Evgeny Romanov vs Dario German Balmaceda

• Eduard Skavynskyi vs Idd Pialari

• Akzhol Sulaimanbek Uulu vs Abdulaziz Kunert

• Erzhan Turgumbekov vs Heorhii Lashko

• Meiirim Nursultanov vs Artur Osipov

• Enriko Gogokhia vs Rafik Harutjunjan

• Grigory Varasyan vs Alexey Tukhtarov