Fresh off a win this past weekend over Pawel Stepien, Joshua Buatsi is open to fighting Anthony Yarde in his next fight.
When visiting Buatsi prior to his fight with Stepien, it was clear Buatsi fancied a future fight with Anthony Yarde or Dan Azeez, and he said that prior as well.
“I know them both [of them] Azeez a lot more than Yarde But their fights that if they're presented and the numbers are right, I wouldn't say no,” said Buatsi when asked by ProBox TV News about fighting either Yarde or Azeez in the future. “I'd like to think they wouldn't say no. Callum Smith is also there, Craig Richards is there, [who Buatsi recently defeated], and Lyndon Arthur.”
As it was announced last week that Artur Beterbiev will put up his WBC, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight world titles against Callum Smith, the piece appear to be falling into place for a domestic clash. As Beterbiev appears busy with Smith, and Dmitry Bivol, the WBA champion is eyeing a potential Canelo rematch in September.
"While the titles are tied up, let's do something," said Buatsi to Sky Sports. "If Yarde is the man for me to box next, I'm more than happy to make that happen."
Buatsi also understands Yarde's experience and having fought in world title fights might make Yarde the favorite for the fight. This is something that Buatsi embraces.
"I just know I can win and there would be 12 rounds to try and [stop Yarde]," said Buatsi. "I'm learning more and more. I'm learning and doing things [that are] making me even more confident."
