Croydon’s Joshua Buatsi confident domestic showdown with Anthony Yarde will happen this year
The 31-year-old from Croydon (19-0, 13KOs) won the belt with a split decision win over Willy Hutchinson at Wembley in December.
Now he faces Liverpool’s Callum Smith, the former WBC super-middleweight champion, on a glittering show in Saudi Arabia.
Buatsi is on the same show as undisputed light-heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev, who is rematching Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev has held the WBO title since June 2022. Buatsi could be promoted to that governing body’s full champion if the Canadian-based Russian does not fulfil a mandatory defence – which has been put on ice due to his unification clashes.
Hackney’s Yarde, 33, remains a lucrative option for Buatsi.
Asked if he thought that fight would happen, Buatsi said: “Hands down yeah. Hopefully this year as well.
“If it is offered and the offer is good then I’ll take it. If there’s a better offer getting me closer to the world title then I’ll take that instead.”
Buatsi-Smith is just one of a succession of fights on the blockbuster event that would normally be headline acts in their own right.
“It’s a good feeling to be on it but it is not just about participating,” said Buatsi. “You want to win as well.
“I am coming to win and coming to fight – to show what I’ve been working on in camp and defend my crown.
“I always focus on what I’m doing, rather than what my opponent has done or is doing.”
PICTURE: BOXXER/LAWRENCE LUSTIG