Joshua Buatsi sees a clash with Anthony Yarde in his future… just not next.
The WBA light-heavyweight No. 1 contender Buatsi puts his status on the line on February 3 against Dan Azeez in a London showdown at Wembley’s OVO Arena.
Despite having a significant fight on the horizon, Buatsi is not numb to the chatter. Yarde has made it clear he wants to fight him, but Buatsi wants a shot at the WBA champion Dmitrii Bivol and victory over Azeez secures that.
“It is a fight that not a day goes by in England where I don’t come across a boxing fan asking when are you fighting Yarde,” Buatsi told ProBox TV. “The first question a fan would ask is how are you? The next question is when are you fighting Yarde? It is something that I am aware that the public are very intrigued about, back in England at least.”
Buatsi is 30-years-old and undefeated. The 2016 Olympian has moved slowly but he is four years younger than Azeez and two years younger than Yarde. With a record of 17-0, with 13 wins by knockout, Buatsi is looking to finally land the coveted world title shot that has eluded him.
“God willing I get through Azeez, and that is a final eliminator, so I will be going for the [world] title shot,” he confirmed. “The fight with [Anthony Yarde] will be there, and is a fight I want this year.”
Buatsi had been offered a Bivol fight before. Yet the business of boxing got in the way of the bout happening. Buatsi is now with Boxxer but was previously promoted by Matchroom Boxing. Buatsi made his debut with Boxxer in May, outpointing Pawel Stepien over 10 rounds.
Despite the public interest in a Yarde fight, Buatsi is consumed with challenging for his first world title and, before that, a victory over Azeez.
“I think that it is more than understandable,” said Buatsi about looking to go after a world title fight next as opposed to a Yarde fight. Why would I not take my attempt at a world title?”
