Anthony Yarde to use personal loss during coronavirus pandemic as ‘fuel to get stronger’
British light heavyweight lost his father and grandmother to Covid-19
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.British boxer Anthony Yarde plans to use the personal heartache he has endured as a result of coronavirus as “fuel” for his in-ring ambitions.
Yarde has lost his father and his paternal grandmother to Covid-19, a brutally immediate impact of the global pandemic.
The 28-year-old, who put in a brave underdog performance against world light-heavyweight champions Sergey Kovalev last year, is now in the process of working through his grief.
It is hard to focus on his career during a period of lockdown, particularly with a scheduled bout against Lyndon Arthur already postponed, but he is trying to find ways to move forward.
“I know where I want to get to in this sport,” he told the Daily Mail.
“You need to mourn, you need to be upset, to give yourself time to replenish. Then you use it all as fuel to get stronger. I’ll get stronger. I want to make all my family proud, particularly my mum Sonia. Ninety per cent of everything I do is for her, but this has all added to that drive.”
Yarde’s attempts to turn his thoughts towards the ring have not been easy but he maintains it is the best way to cope in trying circumstances.
“It has been stressful. People cannot be around to comfort each other,” he added.
“I am still mourning, really. For me, it has been important to get back focused on boxing.
“I have been going for a lot of bike rides or runs, exercising indoors. I have been watching a lot of comedy films, anything really that keeps your mind off it, but training helps most with that, knowing I have a job to do.”
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments