‘We can still mix it up!’ – Joshua Buatsi hopeful Anthony Yarde fight can follow south London derby against Craig Richards

Joshua Buatsi is confident his clash against Craig Richards will be the first of many all-British light-heavyweight showdowns to take place soon with a meeting with Anthony Yarde still in his sights.

Buatsi and Richards meet in what should be an enthralling south east London derby at the O2 Arena on Saturday night which will leave the winner within touching distance of a world title shot.

They are two among a pack of British fighters pushing for gold at 175lbs including former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith, former title challenger Callum Johnson and British and Commonwealth champion Dan Azeez.

Yarde is also firmly in that picture, expected to be next in line to fight the winner of IBF and WBC champion Artur Beterbiev against WBO king Joe Smith Jr, who will meet in their unification clash in June.

Earlier this year, Buatsi’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed an offer had been made for the Croydon fighter to fight Yarde in a bout that has been eagerly talked up over the years. While that wait goes on, Buatsi insists the big names in the division can’t allow those fights to fall by the wayside.

Asked whether his bout with Yarde may have to wait until both are champions, Buatsi told Metro.co.uk: ‘Ideally that would be it. But everyone in the division seems to be busy. So are we going to wait until we are old or are we going to get it on?

‘We will see. Hopefully it gets to the point [where we fight] quickly. We have great light-heavyweights in this country so it would be a shame for us all to retire and none of that happens.’

Yarde has not fought since his revenge victory over Lyndon Arthur last December with Frank Warren opting against having his fighter compete on the Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte undercard in April.

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