Joshua Buatsi’s contract with Matchroom has expired, Eddie Hearn revealed in an interview this week.
Buatsi was last seen when he fought Craig Richards in an entertaining all British clash at the 02 Arena, a fight from which many thought the Londoner would kick on to world level from.
Speaking on IFL TV, Hearn was quick to emphasise his desire to retain Buatsi moving forward and listed the likes of Anthony Yarde and Dmitry Bivol as potential fights for the future.
“Buatsi needs to make up for lost time. He’s had his final fight with us, and now we have matching rights moving forward.”
“We intend to make sure he remains a Matchroom fighter, and I think that’s his mindset as well.”
“He last fought in May, and we want to see him back in the ring as soon as possible. There’s some massive fights out there for him. I think the Anthony Yarde fight is a tremendous fight.”
“If Callum Smith fights Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol will be looking to defend his championship prior to the Canelo fight and Joshua Buatsi is the name we’d be looking to put forward for that fight.”
There has been no comment on the matter publicly from Buatsi himself.
Eyebrows were raised when the 29 year old was working on the BT Sports broadcast team – promoted by Hearn’s domestic rival, Frank Warren – this past weekend for Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev, and fans have called for a fight between he and Yarde next.
Yarde was stopped in the eighth round of a back and forth affair at the OVO Arena, and a showdown between he and Buatsi has been regarded as one of the best domestic fights to be made.