Anthony Yarde is still targeting a long-awaited showdown with Joshua Buatsi if he defeats Willy Hutchinson for the vacant WBC light heavyweight world title on November 7 at the AO Arena in Manchester. Buatsi won their first meeting in 2024 via decision after dropping Hutchinson twice. Yarde, who has been linked with Buatsi since the latter's 2016 Olympic bronze, believes a Buatsi victory brings them closer to the fight.
He stated, 'I have shown time and time again I'm willing to fight anybody,' and prefers the Buatsi fight over others like Benavidez or Beterbiev, calling it a 'bigger fight.' While supporting Buatsi, Yarde praised Hutchinson's entertainment skills, saying he's more engaging outside the ring. The two fighters have been tipped for a clash since Buatsi turned pro after the 2016 Olympics, but it has yet to materialize. Yarde emphasized the public and pundit demand for the matchup, noting it makes 'more sense' than other title fights, even if the environment differs from Saudi Arabia.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing