Well, what a fight that was. Anthony Yarde was behind on the cards but that brilliant eighth round really made everyone believe he had it in him to snatch the belt from the Russian.

But then Sergey Kovalev showed why he's the champion, relentless and ruthlessly efficient from the WBO light-heavyweight title holder.

You can't fault Yarde for making the trip to Chelyabinsk and taking a world title fight in Kovalev's backyard, but the Brit's day will have to come another time.

For all the fallout, check out Luke Reddy's report right here.

We'll catch you next time...

More from Anthony Yarde: "I am not proud, I didn't win the fight. If I don't do as well as I want to do, I am not going to say 'I did well'. I wanted to win, but again I went for it and a lot of people don't go for things because they are scared or they have fear."

Anthony Yarde's promoter Frank Warren: "He was seconds away from winning, the eighth round where he caught him with those body shots.

"The inexperience, not being at that level told. It is what it is, unfortunately it wasn't to be on the night."

Nice touch that from Sergey Kovalev, he went bounding over to Anthony Yarde to give him a hug and tell the Brit he thinks he'll be a champion one day.

Sergey Kovalev tells Anthony Yarde: "You have a great future. You are good, very good."

Anthony Yarde's trainer Tunde Ajayi: "Like Anthony I don't like to lose but he did himself and all of us proud. He showed he belongs at this level. He had Sergey out. His experienced played in the end. I am proud of Anthony."

Here is Anthony Yarde on BT Sport: "I'll be honest, I was just in a fight. Experience played a big part, he paced himself better. I hurt him to the body, I thought I should go for it and my corner said so, so we went for it. I am not ashamed or embarrassed, I am ambitious and trying to motivate people to go for what you want.

"I have done myself justice, even coming out here - 99% of people would not have dared to do what I did. I have a good camp around me, sometimes you have to go for what you want.

"I came up short today but I'll be back. I was confident, but experience does play a big part. My heart got me through, the lions in the camp mentality. My whole team is inexperienced at this level but we are taking a risk."

Sergey Kovalev dons his baseball cap and turns it back to front.

Anthony Yarde wanders over to congratulate his opponent before the Russian is handed the WBO light-heavyweight belt once again.

His arms are hoisted into the sky, the hometown hero is cheered in every corner of the ring.

Sergey Kovalev yells in delight. Anthony Yarde picks himself off the canvas but his world title hopes, for the moment, have escaped him in Chelyabinsk.

What a fight, what a raucous home crowd at the Traktor Sport Palace.

The cheers that greeted that decision will have been heard in Moscow...

Sergey Kovalev skips towards Anthony Yarde and wheels in with a huge, straight left.

Yarde goes down. That's it! The Russian retains his title.

The Traktor Sport Palace is bouncing now.

Sergey Kovalev is told to stop but hauls Anthony Yarde to the ground anyway, he's exhausted.

Yarde is looking leggy, but he's trying his hardest to find a way to win this fight.

Anthony Yarde takes a deep breath and finds his footing, he looked hurt a moment ago and now is backed up into the corner... saved by the bell, just.

Kovalev thinks he's won it.

Lightning-quick hands from Sergey Kovalev as he takes it to Anthony Yarde once again.

The Russian has found a new lease of life. He dances backwards, it's the Brit who needs something here, but he's winded by a Kovalev left.

Yarde flicks a jab towards the nose of the Russian, but the 36-year-old barely flickers.

And now he's hurt Yarde, this could be it...

"Nine minutes to change your life!"

That's the message from Anthony Yarde's corner with three huge rounds to go...