Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde have informally agreed to square off next.
After Anthony Yarde’s outstanding performance in London on Saturday night, Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde both declared their desire to compete against one another.
Yarde (25-3-0, 23 KO) defeated Marko Nikolic in the third round at the Copper Box Arena to record his second straight early stoppage victory since losing to Artur Beterbiev.
British light-heavyweight opponent Buatsi, who last weekend put himself in front of the WBA world title line with an exciting points victory over Dan Azeez, was spectating closely from ringside.
The two boxers expressed their willingness to share the ring in their upcoming fights during a joint interview with TNT Sports, the UK network that aired Yarde’s battle.
“If I wasn’t interested in facing Yarde, I would be at home,” declared Buatsi (18-0-0, 13 KO). “The reason I’m here is that this ought to come next. I’m game, and I have no doubt that his team is too. I will respond briefly and simply. I’m prepared.
In kind, Yarde declared that the next bout he most wanted to have was with Buatsi.
The 32-year-old Londoner declared, “This fight between me and ‘JB’ is 100 times bigger [than Buatsi-Azeez].” “He and I respect one another, but we’re also fighters, and we’ve decided to crack it open. We’ve expressed it behind closed doors.
We talked, always knowing that we would argue. We would crack it open. He’s a courteous individual who triumphed. Anytime is a good time for me. Making an agreement is the key. It would be ideal if Joshua Buatsi and I could compete for a world title. If not, it’s acceptable.
One of the most fascinating boxing divisions right now is light-heavyweight, with a number of major bouts that might change the game coming up.
The undisputed match between WBA champion Dimitrii Bivol and Beterbiev, the holders of the WBC, WBO, and IBF titles, is the main event in the division. Their bout, which is slated to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 1st, is the main event of the Five versus. Five series, which will match fighters from Queensbury Promotions against Matchroom Boxing.
Buatsi’s victory over Azeez made him the mandatory challenger for the WBA title, but he will have to wait for his opportunity because Bivol and Beterbiev are scheduled to fight in less than four months.
The fight that makes the most sense in the interim is a domestic showdown with Yarde. It appeals to pay-per-view viewers in the UK and is likely to sell out a sizable arena, guaranteeing combatants and promoters a healthy profit.
The WBA would probably decide if it would be for a title. After Bivol and Beterbiev’s fight on June 1st, if they decide not to fight their obligatory opponent, the WBA has the authority to take the belt away from the holder and schedule a bout for the vacant title.
In addition, Buatsi holds the top spot among challengers according to the WBO, WBC, and IBF rankings. In contrast, Yarde has the fourth position in the rankings of the WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF.
