Joshua Buatsi targets Anthony Yarde after points win over Pawel Stepien

Joshua Buatsi is set to step into an all-British light-heavyweight showdown next after the Croydon fighter failed to deliver a big performance on his Sky Sports debut.

The broadcaster had hyped the addition of the South Londoner to their fight stable but his points win over Pawel Stepien in Birmingham on Saturday did not quicken the pulse.

Buatsi won bronze at the Olympics in 2016 but his progress in the paid ranks has hardly been rapid.

There are decent bouts to be made with Lewisham’s European champion Dan Azeez also promoted by Sky Sports.

The biggest payday would be Hackney’s Anthony Yarde, a two-time world title challenger, but he is under the umbrella of Queensberry Promotions.

Ben Shalom, the CEO of BOXXER – who promote the shows on the channel – does not believe that hampers the prospects of making it next.

He told iFL TV: “It was a dominant display but it was passive, it wasn’t aggressive or the statement that he wanted. He knows that. He’ll be as disappointed as anyone.

“But it was 10 rounds after a long time out of the ring. For us it was always about what comes next. It was the same with Lawrence Okolie, and now he’s fighting (Chris) Billam-Smith in a soldout stadium on May 27. Buatsi is going to be very similar.

“We signed Joshua Buatsi because the division is on fire and because there are huge fights to make. We had to get through this one.

“Now the cobwebs are off and we’re straight into the big fights. That’s what the fans need to be excited about and that’s what he needs to be focused on.

“Anthony Yarde is the fight we want. It’s the fight we would take next. It’s a fight we think can make. Daz Azeez is an obvious fight as well. Azeez, Lyndon Arthur or Yarde – one of them will be next. And it will be very quick.

“He didn’t get the statement but he was up against a very tough guy. I know his trainer wanted him to get some rounds and that may have been a part of it.”

Buatsi had not fought since outpointing Crystal Palace’s Craig Richard at Greenwich’s 02 Arena last May.

He nudged his perfect record to 17-0, with 13 inside-the-distance victories.

“If I didn’t get the win it would be a different type of interview, so I won’t look at the negatives,” said Buatsi. “I got the win and of course, you want the icing on the cake – which is to get the knockout.

“But fair play to Stepien, he was a good opponent.

“The rounds are important to get at this stage, I haven’t boxed for a while. The instruction (from his corner) was: ‘Don’t get bored jabbing.’ It was to try and stay on the job. I definitely think I should’ve upped it a bit more but when someone comes to fight initially and they change their approach it is a little bit harder.

“I got the win, which is the most important thing.

“I wouldn’t shy away if they (Yarde and Azeez) are the only options. So long as the fight is big, then I’m in. I want a world title, but the reality is that is tied up (with champions having other scheduled fights). I want a big, big British blockbuster.

“People have been talking about the Yarde fight for a long, long time. I’m free and he is free. I don’t know when he wants to box next, but let’s make it happen.

“I won’t be having a long time off.”

PICTURES: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER