Rumours of an all-English light-heavyweight clash between Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi are growing stronger by the day, yet despite the obvious interest for what appears to be a 50/50 battle on paper, the fight could be set to land on the undercard of another bill in the United Kingdom.
Yarde has bounced back with two early knockout wins since defeat to Artur Beterbiev in January of last year, leading to rumours that he could take on Callum Smith on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard in Saudi Arabia.
However, instead it seems as though a deal is close for the 32-year-old to face fellow Londoner Joshua Buatsi, following on from the latter’s arguable career-best win against Dan Azeez last month, with suspicions that the showdown could take place at a stadium in the English capital a signal of the anticipated demand for the contest.
Another mammoth domestic dust-up is also set for an imminent announcement, as Chris Billam-Smith defends his WBO cruiserweight title and attempts to avenge the lone defeat of his career against Richard Riakporhe. In an interview with talkSPORT, Riakporhe stunned listeners by declaring the possibility of Yarde-Buatsi taking place on the undercard.
“The Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe rematch for Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight world title is being planned for June 15th in London, Riakporhe has said. He confirmed possibility of Joshua Buatsi vs Anthony Yarde on same card, but not sure if it will happen. [@talkSPORT]”
Due to the magnitude of Yarde-Buatsi, the official bill would likely label the contest as the co-main event, but ultimately have the fight take place before Billam-Smith-Riakporhe due to a lack of a world title.
The chances of such an event occurring seems to hinge on whether Ben Shalom (Boxxer) or Frank Warren (Queensberry) stages Yarde-Buatsi, although it is Warren who recently declared that terms have been agreed.