Anthony Yarde has once again reaffirmed his commitment to finalizing a long-awaited domestic blockbuster against Joshua Buatsi, confirming that he remains eager to share the ring with his long-time rival. The two British light heavyweights have been linked with one another for several years, yet a formal agreement has consistently proved elusive despite immense interest from fight fans and pundits alike. Now, with Buatsi on the verge of competing for a world title, Yarde is monitoring developments closely, hoping the stars will finally align for a high-stakes showdown on home soil.
The immediate catalyst for the potential clash rests on the outcome of Buatsi’s next fight. Buatsi is scheduled to face Willy Hutchinson on November 7 at the AO Arena in Manchester, with the vacant WBC light heavyweight world title on the line. The event marks a major milestone for the division, offering both combatants the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of the sport while simultaneously setting the stage for huge domestic fights in the near future.
For Yarde, the upcoming contest in Manchester carries profound personal and professional interest. Although he remains focused on his own path, Yarde has admitted that he is actively backing Buatsi to emerge victorious against Hutchinson. His preference is rooted not in favoritism, but in boxing logic: a victory for Buatsi would bring the vacant world title into the equation, providing the ideal framework to finally contract the long-demanded domestic clash.
The November showdown in Manchester will be the second time Buatsi and Hutchinson have met inside the squared circle. The two fighters previously went head-to-head in 2024 in an action-packed encounter. In that initial fight, Buatsi produced a commanding performance, dropping Hutchinson twice over the course of the bout before securing a clear victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Despite suffering that defeat two years ago, Hutchinson has worked his way back into position for a high-profile rematch, earning the chance to contend for the vacant WBC championship. With a world title now hanging in the balance at the AO Arena, the stakes are significantly higher than in their first meeting, creating an intriguing backdrop for the division’s top contenders.
Recognizing the implications of the bout, Yarde views a Buatsi victory as the key to unlocking the fight that British boxing fans have craved for years. The rivalry between Yarde and Buatsi has been building steadily ever since Buatsi captured a bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and subsequently launched his professional career. As both men quickly established themselves as powerhouse contenders in the light heavyweight ranks, public clamor for a meeting between the two Londoners grew exponentially.
However, despite years of continuous speculation, public debate, and media coverage, the fight has failed to materialize. Commercial hurdles, scheduling conflicts, and differing career trajectories have consistently prevented the matchup from being made, leaving fans frustrated as both fighters continued their respective journeys.
Yarde maintains that he has never been the obstacle in negotiations. He insists that his track record demonstrates a consistent willingness to take on the toughest challenges available and that he actively pressed for the Buatsi fight as soon as the public demand became deafening.
"I have shown time and time again I’m willing to fight anybody and as soon as it got to the point where the public, the pundits and everybody was calling for this fight, I said let’s make it happen," Yarde said. "It just makes sense."
Beyond the sporting prestige of competing for a world championship, Yarde places a high premium on the location and cultural resonance of the fight. In recent years, major international markets, particularly Saudi Arabia, have become dominant hosts for massive global boxing events, drawing high-profile bouts across multiple weight divisions. While recognizing the financial power and prestige associated with fighting in the Middle East, Yarde has voiced a strong preference for hosting a potential blockbuster against Buatsi in front of a home crowd in England.
Yarde explained that a massive domestic showdown for a world championship in a British arena or stadium holds a unique atmosphere that cannot be replicated abroad. Even when compared to potential international showdowns against legendary global figures in the weight class, Yarde maintains that a domestic mega-fight against Buatsi remains his ultimate preference.
"I would have probably rather fought Buatsi in England, a bigger fight for a world title, than go to Saudi Arabia," Yarde stated, outlining his desire to deliver a historic night of boxing for British supporters.
He further elaborated on how the environment and domestic rivalry elevate the magnitude of the event compared to facing other top-tier international light heavyweights. "It is a different crowd, different environment and fight David Benavidez or even Artur Beterbiev, I would have preferred the Buatsi fight over all of them," Yarde said.
Crucially, Yarde clarified that his preference for facing Buatsi over feared champions like Beterbiev or Benavidez is not motivated by a search for an easier option in the ring. Instead, he views the domestic narrative and public investment as the driving forces that make the matchup superior in terms of spectacle and cultural impact. "I am not saying because it’s an easier fight or anything like that, it is because in my opinion it was a bigger fight," Yarde emphasized.
While Yarde hopes Buatsi secures the WBC belt to facilitate their eventual showdown, he offered a brutally honest assessment of the contrasting personalities involved in the November 7 fight in Manchester. Yarde drew a clear line between Buatsi’s reserved public persona and Hutchinson’s lively, outspoken approach to promotion.
Yarde offered a candid critique of Buatsi’s low-key demeanor outside the ring, noting that while Buatsi is exceptional inside the ropes, his understated character does little to generate promotional heat ahead of major fights.
"Buatsi is as boring as watching paint dry outside of the ring," Yarde remarked, delivering a straightforward assessment of his rival’s public image.
Despite that critique, Yarde reiterated that the sheer weight of fan demand makes Buatsi the most logical opponent for his own long-term plans. "Because of the public, the Buatsi fight would just make more sense. I would probably want him to win so me and him could fight for a world title," Yarde explained.
At the same time, Yarde acknowledged that a victory for Hutchinson would bring a completely different promotional dynamic to a future matchup. Hutchinson’s colorful personality and willingness to engage in media banter offer significant entertainment value outside the ring, which Yarde believes is an essential component of modern boxing. "But in terms of entertainment outside of the ring, which I think is very important, Hutchinson makes sense as well," Yarde added.
The conversation surrounding Yarde also touches upon the broader landscape of the light heavyweight division, which features a fresh wave of talent rising through the ranks. Among the most prominent emerging names is charismatic contender Ben Whittaker, whose flashy style and viral performances have captured widespread media attention.
Yarde shared his thoughts on Whittaker’s future, acknowledging that the young fighter possesses the raw talent necessary to capture a world title if navigated correctly. Yarde noted that Whittaker could certainly achieve world championship status if presented with the right opponent at the proper stage of his career development.
However, should Yarde and Whittaker ever meet in the ring down the line, Yarde expressed absolute confidence in his own abilities. While acknowledging Whittaker’s potential to pick up a belt under favorable circumstances, Yarde remains firmly convinced that he would emerge victorious if the two ever shared a ring in a high-stakes domestic clash.
As the light heavyweight division prepares for a pivotal night at the AO Arena on November 7, Yarde’s focus remains locked on the bigger picture. The vacant WBC light heavyweight world title contest between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson carries massive implications for all involved, promising to reshape the division’s hierarchy.
Whether Buatsi repeats his 2024 victory over Hutchinson or Hutchinson produces an upset to claim world title honors, Yarde stands ready to pursue the winner. For Yarde, the ultimate objective remains unchanged: landing the massive domestic showdown he has long desired and proving his standing at the very top of the light heavyweight division.
