Eddie Hearn Sends Anthony Yarde an Offer to Face Joshua Buatsi
Since the beginning of their professional careers, there’s been a link between British light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) and Anthony Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs). In the UK, the belief is they will face one another at some point.
Under ideal conditions, the fight would happen down the line in a big-money world title contest. But, could we see them square off sooner, world title be damned? Speaking to iFL TV, Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn disclosed an offer has been sent to Yarde’s representatives.
Hearn understands at 175, the preferred choice is a fight with either IBF/WBC champ Artur Beterbiev, WBA Super champ Dmitry Bivol, or WBO belt-holder Joe Smith Jr. But, that may not come in the immediate future. In his mind, the money is there in a Buatsi-Yarde battle now. So, what’s the harm in looking to make it?
STATING THE CASE
“I just feel that Buatsi versus Yarde is such a great fight, and I’ve spoken to Buatsi about it […] He wants to fight Anthony Yarde. He wants to fight Callum Smith, he wants to fight Craig Richards…Unless he can get Bivol, or Smith, or Beterbiev because he’s ready to go now.
Now Anthony Yarde is number one with the WBO. We’ll see what happens with Joe Smith. But, if he can’t get Joe Smith next, he should be accepting that offer or negotiating because it’s massive money. It’s double what he’d get to fight Joe Smith. So, I think we should be looking at those fights.”
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing CEO
Yarde is coming off a fourth-round KO over Lyndon Arthur in December of 2021. It was sweet revenge for Yarde, who was upset by Arthur in December 2020. Hearn conceded that if Yarde lands a match with Smith, a fight with Buatsi is unlikely to happen. However, Smith is on track to engage in a unification bout against Beterbiev, either late spring or early summer.
Buatsi plans to return to the ring this spring, likely against Maxim Vlasov. They were to fight in December 2021, but Buatsi withdrew after suffering a hand injury.
DOES IT MAKE SENSE?
For years, Hearn has talked about the two local products fighting. Being the promoter he is, he sees dollar signs. They could stage the fight at a venue like the O2 Arena and sell out the joint. But, with Buatsi fighting under Matchroom, is Hearn selling his fighter short?
Ranked second by the IBF and third by the WBA at 175, would it make better sense for the London-based fighter to go for a world title, instead? Or, is Hearn skeptical that his charge is not a world champion-level fighter? Furthermore, with Yarde ranked first by the WBO, what sense does it make for him to face Buatsi?
Hearn has a way of proposing matchups to get fans talking. That could well be the case once again. While the fight is mouthwatering, especially across the pond, don’t bet on it happening anytime soon.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
