A domestic light heavyweight clash between Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi has been one of the most talked about match ups amongst British boxing fans, and it appears to finally be on the brink of happening.
Buatsi was ringside for Yarde’s third round stoppage win over Marko Nikolic this past weekend, before being invited to join ‘The Beast From The East’ in his post-fight interview.
The two have long been considered the country’s premier 175lbers – and promoter Frank Warren revealed the plan is for them to lock horns this summer.
Warren also told Boxing News that there have been no discussions for Yarde to face former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith on the upcoming Matchroom vs Queensberry bill in Saudi Arabia.
“They both want it and we’ve been talking about it so now we have to get it over the line. It will be in the summer.
Anthony Yarde. Joshua Buatsi. SIGN US UP 😍@mranthonyyarde 🤝 @boxingbuatsi
Watch #SheerazWilliams LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/zulCNW9g5O
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) February 10, 2024
“People thought Yarde would fight Smith in Saudi but no. I haven’t thought that. We haven’t even talked – us – in-house yet about who we’re going to put in there.
“He’s out of that because this is the fight we all want to do and the fight everybody wants to see.
“This fight might happen before Beterbiev-Bivol. First we have to get the deal done. It definitely will not end up on the undercard in Saudi.”
Buatsi defeated another domestic rival in Dan Azeez at Wembley Arena earlier this month, and talk of a potential showdown with Yarde was soon rife on social media.
‘JB’ has won all of his 18 professional fights thus far, whilst Yarde has fell short in his two forays up to world level against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev.
𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙍𝙎 🔥
Sit back, relax and enjoy the fight highlights from an all-time classic 💥
Thank you, Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde 👏#BeterbievYarde pic.twitter.com/XO4toSRT3V
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) January 29, 2023
With Beterbiev due to face Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed championship on June 1st, it makes all the sense in the world for a London derby to be agreed to determine the division’s next number one contender.
