ANTHONY YARDE has urged people to stay at home as news broke that the talented British boxer lost his father after contracting coronavirus.

The 28-year-old light-heavyweight revealed that his father had been “fit with no health issues” before becoming ill.

“I’m still in shock but maybe this can help people stay at home,” Yarde posted on social media.

“We hope that his fans listen to Anthony’s heartfelt plea”

Promoter Frank Warren

“The more people go out and mingle, the longer this isolation will last and the more it will spread.”

Yarde’s next fight was set to be against Britain’s Lyndon Arthur on April 11, but the event has been delayed until July 11 because of the pandemic.

Yarde’s promoter, Frank Warren, expressed his “sincere condolences to Yarde and his family”.

“Coronavirus is an issue affecting all of us, but that doesn’t make the individual casualties any less tragic,” he said.

“We hope that his fans listen to Anthony’s heartfelt plea for people to take the government’s advice seriously so we can try and minimise the suffering of others.”