Boxing Enthusiasts Eagerly Await Buatsi-Yarde Showdown Despite Ongoing Contractual Disputes
If all had gone according to plan, light heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi would have made his way to the ring at Selhurst Park on Saturday night for a highly anticipated clash with rival Anthony Yarde. However, Yarde’s ongoing contractual dispute with his long-time promoters, Queensberry, has continued to delay the much-anticipated bout.
Despite missing out on the main event, Buatsi, the reigning British and Commonwealth champion, was still present at the event, quietly taking a ringside seat to watch Chris Billam-Smith successfully defend his WBO cruiserweight title against Richard Riakporhe. In the undercard action, Buatsi’s former opponent, Dan Azeez, fought to a draw with Hrvoje Sep, while rising light heavyweight star Ben Whittaker cruised to a decision victory over Ezra Arenyreka.
“Let’s hope so,” Buatsi said. “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.”
With the Yarde fight still in limbo, Buatsi, who is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, remains focused on making the bout a reality. Last week, the British Boxing Board of Control added to the saga by putting a British title fight between Buatsi and Yarde out to purse bids, a move that has been welcomed by both fighters.
Buatsi, 31, has been plagued by inactivity throughout his career, and with the upcoming undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol closing off his avenues to a title shot in the near future, he can’t afford to wait much longer before deciding on his next move. Fortunately, the WBO has stepped in, ordering an interim title fight between Buatsi and Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson, who recently impressed with a victory over former world title challenger Craig Richards.
While Buatsi acknowledges Hutchinson’s impressive win, he remains hopeful that the long-awaited Yarde fight can still be made, as it carries that elusive “X-Factor” that boxing fans crave.
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