Buatsi Critiques Yarde’s Routine Victory, Anticipation Grows for Showdown
Former Olympian Joshua Buatsi has criticized Anthony Yarde’s recent victory over Ralfs Vilcans, labeling the fight as routine and lacking in challenge. During a discussion on The Stomping Ground, Buatsi, a potential opponent for Yarde, remarked that the Londoner’s bout, which took place after more than a year away from the ring, offered no major surprises. “He hurt the guy in the first round, and I thought it might end in three, but fair play to the guy, he was tough and stayed until the last round,” Buatsi said, acknowledging Vilcans’ resilience throughout the fight.
While Buatsi admitted Yarde performed well, he asserted that there was no real danger in the match. “It was a routine fight for Yarde; there weren’t any real dangers,” added the Ghanaian-born boxer. He did express respect for Vilcans, recognizing the Lithuanian’s tenacity in remaining competitive until the end.
On the other hand, Yarde defended the quality of his opponent. “A lot of people come back and have what you’d call a walkover fight—six rounds, eight rounds—but that guy in there, I told you, he could take a lot of the domestic guys all the way,” the British fighter stated, noting that Vilcans had only lost once and had never been knocked out.
Yarde also admitted that knocking down Vilcans in the first 10 seconds affected his strategy negatively. “I rushed things, and I needed rounds. This was my first time going 10 rounds,” he acknowledged. The Hackney boxer mentioned that his main goal was to gain experience in the ring, and while he won by decision, he felt unsatisfied with the middle rounds of the fight.
The long-anticipated clash between Buatsi and Yarde remains unfinalized, despite being a hot topic among boxing fans. Talks suggest the fight could take place in Saudi Arabia, given the country’s increasing interest in hosting major boxing events. However, Buatsi expressed a preference for the bout to be held in England to allow local fans to attend.
Yarde also commented on the seemingly inevitable matchup, wishing the fight had already occurred while clarifying that its delay wasn’t his fault. “That wasn’t my fault. Me and him spoke on the phone personally. He chose to fight Hutchinson instead. But again, this isn’t the ‘Buatsi show.’ There are other fights out there for me in this exciting division,” Yarde explained.
Despite the postponement, Yarde holds no grudge against Buatsi, affirming his respect for him. “I’m not going to criticize him or say he’s ducking me, because he’s not,” the Londoner stated. “Me and him are definitely going to fight, that’s for sure.”
A match between Yarde and Buatsi, both of whom are top light-heavyweights in the UK, promises to be a significant event in the boxing scene. With impressive records and contrasting styles, the bout could deliver an exciting spectacle. Yarde, confident from his last fight, stated, “I win, 100%. I know what to expect from him. I’ve seen him fight before. Obviously, it’s different when you’re in there with someone, but I’ve learned a lot. The guy I fought today had a very awkward, strange style. It’s all a learning experience,” he concluded.
Both fighters are keen on the matchup, and all that remains is for the terms to be finalized and a date set. Whenever the fight occurs, it will undoubtedly capture the boxing world’s attention, whether at London’s iconic O2 Arena or in a luxurious location like Saudi Arabia.
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