Buatsi wants Yarde fight if world title shot stays out of reach

SHOULD Joshua Buatsi defeat Willy Hutchinson this weekend a world title shot may not be next.

The 31-year-old Londoner would, however, like to remain active in a career that has been affected by inactivity. That could potentially mean another all-British clash which is more a main event than an undercard fight.

Buatsi vs. Hutchinson lands on the Joshua-Dubois Riyadh Season event at Wembley Stadium on Saturday but Buatsi vs. Anthony Yarde is worthy of being top of the bill. The will they-won’t they drama has tested fans’ patience but the possibility of the fight happening could resurface in the near future.

“If after this fight the belts are not up for grabs I’m going to look for activity and I think that’s still a fight people are interested in,” Buatsi told Boxing News.

“It’s a fight I’m interested in myself. So, if the title is not available immediately who’s next in line or who would I like to fight. It would be a Yarde fight.

“It’s a fight that was almost made I think in June. Things on the other side didn’t work out.”

On October 12 the light-heavyweight division will crown an undisputed champion when Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol meet in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Buatsi and Hutchinson will contest the WBO Interim belt on Saturday.