Joshua Buatsi makes U-turn on Anthony Yarde decision after securing world title shot following Dan Azeez victory

06/02/2024 17:27

Joshua Buatsi has revealed he is willing to put his WBA light-heavyweight title shot on the line to face domestic rival Anthony Yarde.

The 30-year-old outpointed Dan Azeez at Wembley Arena on Saturday to set up a future bout against Dmitry Bivol.

But he will have to wait if he wishes to face the Russian, who is preparing for an undisputed showdown against Artur Beterbiev on June 1.

And should the pair face off in a rematch, this could see Buatsi not fight again until next year, with the Rio 2016 bronze medallist keen to stay active.

This could finally see a match-up take place between Buatsi and Yarde, with the latter eyeing up a third world title shot.

talkSPORT host and ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes a fight against Yarde would help Buatsi bridge the gap on himself and Bivol and Beterbiev.

Having previously been against a fight against the two-time world title challenger next, Buatsi said on White and Jordan: “Initially I wasn’t entertaining it.

“Because I was like, ‘Well if I’ve won the final eliminator, let me go straight away.’

“But the reality is that he’s fighting Beterbiev in June, [and then there] could be a rematch, which there probably will be.

“And that means that the fight wouldn’t happen until the end of the first quarter of the year [2025].

“That’s a long time to just hang about which is what I’m not going to do, so I’m definitely entertaining the Yarde fight.

“Of course it has to be on better terms to suit me, I’m the one that’s just come off a final eliminator.

“The risk has to match the reward, so I’m all in for it.”

It’s a U-turn from his original view, as he told talkSPORT ahead of his fight with Azeez that he would wait for his world title shot.