Joshua Buatsi Open To Willy Hutchinson Fight But Priority Remains Anthony Yarde
Joshua Buatsi has revealed that he is still hoping and trying to finalize a deal that will see him fight British rival Anthony Yarde but said he would be open to a bout with Willy Hutchinson should it fail to materialize.
Buatsi (18-0-0 13 KO) has been the mandatory challenger to Dimitry Bivol’s WBA light-heavyweight world title since February when he defeated fellow Londoner Dan Azeez in an eliminator.
However, the 31-year-old is having to bide his time before his first world title shot. Bivol was scheduled to face Artur Beterbiev on June 1 only for the unified champion to withdraw after sustaining a knee injury in training. The undisputed title fight is yet to be officially rescheduled, although reports suggest it could be in October.
It means Buatsi won’t get his opportunity until the end of the year at least, but more likely in early 2025, leaving him to assess his options to stay active.
An all-British showdown with Yarde had been widely expected to be made after both fighters verbally agreed following Yarde’s victory over Marko Nikolic, weeks after Buatsi beat Azeez. Yet, for unknown reasons, Yarde has left the contract unsigned.
‘Let’s Get The Yarde Fight Cracking’
Speaking to TalkSport, Buatsi insisted that he remains optimistic that terms can be agreed and signed with Yarde, but if not, Hutchinson is a viable alternative.
“Since the Dan Azeez fight, I’ve been saying let’s get the Yarde fight cracking. Let’s make it happen. That’s still in the planning but the Hutchinson fight also got ordered. There’s two options but I think I pretty much know what the public would like to see,” Buatsi said.
Hutchinson became a potential opponent following his comfortable points win against Craig Richards, incidentally on the same night Bivol was meant to face Beterbiev. The Scottish fighter was part of the 5-vs-5 event in Saudi Arabia, helping Frank Warren to a clean sweep against Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
“It’s a result that upset me because ‘Spider’ [Richards] is my guy. I wanted ‘Spider’ to win,” Buatsi said. “Big up to Hutchinson. It’s a fight that I thought ‘Spider’ would come out on top in but he came out on top. You’ve got to give it to him.”
Still, the Yarde fight is the one that interests Buatsi the most. Indeed, it’s the fight British fans would prefer, too, and Buatsi is refusing to give up on making it happen.
“Let’s hope so. There’s been a lot of talking. I did my part and got Azeez out of the way and it’s a fight that I’ve been asking for. Let’s hope it happens.”
Buatsi Has A ‘Couple Of Options’
While Buatsi is the mandatory challenger with the WBA, he is also the No 1-ranked contender by the WBO and WBC, leading to other possible world title shots. He could even fight for the undisputed title if he takes on the winner of Bivol vs Beterbiev.
Buatsi’s promoter, Ben Shalom, conceded that for now, it’s all a “waiting game” for his fighter, who is ready to face any champion.
“He’ll make his choice. He wants the big fights, he wants the big nights, he wants the headline slots, he wants the show for himself so we’ll see what happens over the next week or so,” Shalom told Sky Sports.
“He’s No 1 in most of the governing bodies. “I think the IBF [mandatory] is next in line then it’s the WBA. He’s No 1, he’s going to get his opportunity. I think it’s a waiting game now on Bivol-Beterbiev whatever happens.
“His fight against Dan Azeez was a final eliminator [for the WBA title]. In the WBC he’s the No 1 as well. He’s got to make the best decisions for the biggest fights for the most amount of money and luckily there’s a couple of options.”
