JOSHUA BUATSI is hoping to set up his second successive all-British clash by facing Anthony Yarde next.
Buatsi dropped Dan Azeez twice en route to a unanimous decision in their rearranged light-heavyweight showdown at the Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
Due to the postponement of their initial October clash, due to a back injury sustained by Azeez, this was Buatsi’s first fight since his Boxxer debut back in May, which was also his first fight for a year.
But now the 30-year-old from Croydon is adamant that activity is his main focus and called out Yarde, who is in action next weekend.
This clash with Azeez was a final eliminator for Dmitrii Bivol’s WBA title but with the Russian set for a long-awaited undisputed fight with Artur Beterbiev on June 1, Buatsi will have to look elsewhere for his next opponent.
He said: “I moved over to Boxxer and Sky Sports just to be more active. After my fight in May things didn’t go according to my play but I stayed dedicated. I went straight back into camp – I’ve been in camp for months.
“I want to be active and I’m sure someone will ask if the Yarde fight is next. Listen, of course this fight was a final eliminator for the world title but we live in England, we live in London and everyone wants to see that fight.
“He’s fighting next weekend but I did my part with the win.”
Buatsi and Yarde have been linked with each other for years but there remains a distinct possibility that Yarde will instead be matched with Callum Smith in his next fight as part of the Queensberry v Matchroom card in Saudi. Buatsi, therefore, might need to find another opponent.
Azeez, meanwhile, suffered his first defeat in 21 fights and surrendered his British and Commonwealth titles as a result.
But the new champion Buatsi is hoping his old mate from Lewisham is also back in action quickly.
He said: “Being active is key to me. And, speaking as a boxing fan, I’d also like to see Dan fight again very soon too.
“Dan and I did our part today so hopefully that will open doors. But both of our stock has risen in that fight. I came out on top so my stock has gone up but Dan pushed me every round so his has too.”