Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde Show Eagerness to Face Each Other
British light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) and Anthony Yarde (25-3, 24 KOs) both expressed an interest in facing each other after the two picked up wins this month.
Following Yarde’s third-round stoppage win over Marko Nikolic on the undercard of Hamzah Sheeraz-Liam Williams, the two came face to face. Just a week prior, Buatsi won a unanimous decision against Dan Azeez to become the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight champion. The possibility of a bout between the two was brought up during Yarde’s post-fight interview.
Joshua Buatsi: ‘I believe this fight should be next’
Buatsi approached Yarde during the post-fight interview at which point he was asked if he was interested in fighting later in 2024. His response indicated that he was down to make it happen.
“I would be at home if I didn’t have interest,” Buatsi said. “I’m here ’cause I believe this fight should be next. Anthony [Yarde] and his team probably think the same…people know that this is the fight that should be next. So from my side, I’m down with it. I’m sure him and his team feel the same way.”
Anthony Yarde: ‘We’re going to get it cracking’
Yarde was similarly asked about whether he was interested in facing the Olympic bronze medalist. His response also appeared to indicate interest.
“This fight, between me and JB [Joshua Buatsi], is a hundred times bigger,” said Yarde. “Me and him have always had like a mutual respect but we’re both fighters, we both agreed we’re going to get a cracking. We said it behind the scenes…We’ve always had it in our minds that we’re going to fight. We’re going to get it cracking.”
Can a fight between the two get made?
Whether the two will actually face each other remains to be seen. Fight fans should temper their expectations until an official announcement is made. For the time being, however, there is reason to be optimistic. Given how Queensberry Promotions and BOXXER have tweeted about a potential matchup, we could see both men in the ring against each other later this year.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
