The World Boxing Organisation Orders Yarde vs Buatsi for Interim Light-Heavyweight Title
In a significant development within the boxing world, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has ordered a bout between British rivals Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi to compete for the organisation’s vacant interim light-heavyweight title. This announcement comes in the wake of the postponement of the highly anticipated undisputed title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol.
The Beterbiev-Bivol showdown, originally scheduled for June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, had to be cancelled due to Beterbiev’s meniscus rupture. The expectation is that the undisputed clash will now take place later in 2024. Beterbiev’s injury has contributed to the WBO’s decision to create an interim title, potentially leading to a mandatory challenger for the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol fight once it is finally held.
“Yarde, a two-time world title challenger, and Buatsi, a rising star in the light-heavyweight division, have been in negotiations for a fight since their respective victories earlier this year. However, these negotiations have stalled, prompting the WBO’s intervention.”
The sanctioning body has given the representatives of both Yarde and Buatsi a 10-day window to agree on the terms of the fight. Failure to reach an agreement within this period will result in the WBO ordering a purse bid, with the minimum bid set at $300,000 for the light-heavyweight division.
BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, Buatsi’s promoter, recently acknowledged that he had started exploring alternative options for the 31-year-old fighter, but remained hopeful that a deal could still be struck between Yarde and Buatsi.
The anticipation surrounding this interim title fight is palpable, as both Yarde and Buatsi are hungry to secure a world title opportunity and establish their dominance in the competitive light-heavyweight landscape.
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