BBBofC Sanctioned Buatsi – Yarde Fight

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has sanctioned a light heavyweight bout (up to 79.4 kg) between Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) and Anthony Yarde (25-3, 24 KOs).

Promoter bids between the parties are scheduled for July 10.

The fight will be contested for the Lonsdale Belt, the oldest championship belt in British boxing, established in 1909.

Previously, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered a bout between Buatsi and Yarde for the interim light heavyweight title. However, the deadline for organizing the fight passed without notification from Yarde, leading the WBO to approve a fight between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.

Recently, Yarde announced he is a free agent after his contract with Queensberry Promotions expired: “As I have previously stated, I am a free agent. Queensberry has agreed in writing that the term of my preliminary agreement has ended. I can now discuss my future fights with any promoters, including Queensberry. I am excited about future big fights,” Yarde wrote on Twitter.

However, Queensberry Promotions disputed this claim: “Today we saw a statement from Anthony Yarde. Queensberry's legal advice is that Anthony Yarde still has a contractual obligation to Queensberry, which we hope will be fulfilled,” the company said in a statement.

In February, Joshua Buatsi won a unanimous decision against Dan Azeez. In the same month, Anthony Yarde secured a technical knockout victory over Marco Nikolic.