Anthony Yarde has once again reaffirmed his determination to secure a long-awaited domestic blockbuster against Joshua Buatsi, revealing that he is actively backing his rival to emerge victorious in his upcoming world title challenge. Buatsi is scheduled to step into the ring on November 7 at the AO Arena in Manchester to contend for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight world championship against Willy Hutchinson. For Yarde, the outcome of that contest carries significant personal and professional implications, as a victory for Buatsi would finally lay the groundwork for one of the most highly anticipated all-British encounters in recent light-heavyweight history.
The championship clash in Manchester represents the second time Buatsi and Hutchinson will share a ring, following their memorable first encounter two years prior in 2024. In that initial matchup, Buatsi demonstrated his trademark power and tactical discipline, dropping Hutchinson twice over the course of the bout before securing a convincing decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. Now, with the prestigious WBC world championship hanging in the balance, the stakes have been elevated to an elite global level, giving both men the opportunity to solidify their position at the very pinnacle of the 175-pound division.
Despite the competitive nature of the domestic scene, Yarde finds himself in the uncommon position of publicly supporting Buatsi ahead of the November showdown. His reasoning, however, is purely pragmatic and driven by a desire to deliver the biggest possible fight for British boxing fans. Yarde understands that if Buatsi captures the vacant WBC crown, an eventual showdown between the two London rivals would instantly transform into a massive world title unification or defense on home soil, fulfilling years of public demand and media speculation.
The narrative surrounding a potential clash between Yarde and Buatsi has been building steadily for nearly a decade. Ever since Buatsi captured widespread attention by winning a bronze medal for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and subsequently transitioning into the professional ranks, the two light-heavyweights have seemed destined to meet. As both fighters carved out impressive paths through the division, public appetite for the matchup grew exponentially, with pundits, promoters, and casual supporters routinely calling for the contest to be made.
However, despite endless negotiation rumors, public banter, and parallel career arcs, the bout has repeatedly failed to materialize. For Yarde, the frustration of past delays has not diminished his willingness to step into the ring with Buatsi. He maintains that his track record speaks for itself when it comes to taking on formidable challenges, emphasizing that he has never shied away from high-stakes encounters regardless of the opponent or venue.
Reflecting on the ongoing pursuit of the matchup, Yarde explained that as soon as the demand from the boxing community reached a fever pitch, he was fully aligned with bringing the fight to fruition. He noted that he has demonstrated time and time again his willingness to fight anybody in the division, and when the public and pundits were calling for the Buatsi fight, he immediately voiced his support to make it happen because it simply made absolute sense for everyone involved.
A central element of Yarde’s motivation stems from his vision of where and how such a monumental fight should take place. While recent years have seen an increasing number of high-profile international boxing events hosted in Saudi Arabia, Yarde strongly favors hosting a showdown with Buatsi on home soil in England. In his view, an all-British world title clash in front of a passionate domestic crowd offers an atmosphere and significance that international super-shows cannot easily replicate.
Yarde candidly admitted that he would have vastly preferred fighting Buatsi in England for a world title, describing it as a potentially bigger fight for his career than traveling overseas to Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the distinct difference in crowd energy, environmental factors, and fan engagement, explaining that even when weighed against potential high-profile matchups against elite international champions such as Artur Beterbiev or David Benavidez, a domestic clash with Buatsi retained a superior level of appeal for him.
Crucially, Yarde was quick to clarify that his preference for facing Buatsi over international powerhouses like Beterbiev or Benavidez has nothing to do with seeking an easier route to glory. Instead, he insists that the sheer magnitude, history, and narrative weight of an all-British rivalry elevate the Buatsi fight to a unique tier of importance. In his estimation, the domestic rivalry possesses a built-in intensity and cultural resonance that makes it inherently bigger within the British sporting landscape than competing against foreign champions abroad.
Beyond the competitive and strategic elements of the matchup, Yarde also offered a candid assessment of the personalities involved in the light-heavyweight title picture. When evaluating Buatsi alongside his upcoming opponent, Hutchinson, Yarde drew a stark contrast between their respective personas and their ability to generate interest outside the squared circle.
Speaking with characteristic bluntness, Yarde offered a sharp critique of Buatsi’s public persona, lightheartedly remarking that outside of the ring, Buatsi is as boring as watching paint dry. Despite that critique of Buatsi’s reserved promotional style, Yarde acknowledged that the sheer demand from the public makes a fight against him the most logical and lucrative option. From a competitive standpoint, Yarde reiterated his hope that Buatsi claims the WBC belt in Manchester so that their long-delayed confrontation can finally feature a world championship on the line.
At the same time, Yarde acknowledged the unique promotional value that Hutchinson brings to the light-heavyweight landscape. He pointed out that in terms of pure out-of-ring entertainment—a factor he considers immensely important for building fights and captivating mainstream audiences—Hutchinson brings a lively energy that makes sense for the sport. Yarde recognizes that media engagement and personality clashes play a vital role in elevating boxing events, even if his ultimate sporting preference remains a world title showdown against Buatsi.
The ongoing developments at the top of the 175-pound division also touch upon a broader generation of British talent striving for world honors, including rising stars like Ben Whittaker. Addressing the wider landscape of potential future opponents, Yarde shared his perspective on Whittaker’s trajectory, acknowledging that the Olympian possesses the skills required to win a world title if guided through the right promotional pathways and opponent selections. However, Yarde expressed supreme confidence in his own abilities, stating firmly that should his path ever cross with Whittaker’s in the future, he is entirely certain he would emerge victorious.
As the light-heavyweight division prepares for the November 7 spectacle at the AO Arena in Manchester, all eyes will be focused on whether Buatsi can repeat his 2024 victory over Hutchinson to claim the vacant WBC world title. For Hutchinson, the bout represents a shot at redemption and ultimate glory, offering him the chance to derail Buatsi’s world championship ambitions while upending the division’s narrative. For Buatsi, it is an opportunity to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion while simultaneously setting up the biggest fight of his professional career.
Sitting comfortably in the wings, Yarde will be watching the proceedings closely. Having consistently voiced his readiness to engage in domestic blockbusters, Yarde remains steadfast in his mission to deliver the fights that boxing enthusiasts most want to see. A Buatsi victory in Manchester would clear the final hurdle, opening the door for an iconic all-British world title showdown that has been nearly a decade in the making.
