Joshua Buatsi out of contract with Matchroom, Hearn trying to re-sign him for Bivol Or Yarde Fight

Via Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn says 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Joshua Buatsi is currently out of contract with Matchroom Boxing, but he has the right to be fit and is looking to re-sign him to prepare him for a fight. Dmitry Bivol or Anthony Yarde.

Despite his wealth of talent, Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs) has been largely forgotten with Hearn, as his activity has been sporadic since 2020 and he’s now retired. been 9 months.

While Hearn feels confident that 29-year-old Buatsi will remain part of the Matchroom team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him signing with Queensberry Promotions that could keep him busy and put him in a winning situation. world championship.

If Buatsi chooses to move on, Top Rank’s Bob Arum will be a good landing for the former Matchroom boxer. Arum will likely jump at the chance to sign Buatsi so he can face off against IBF, WBC & WBO lightweight champion Artur Beterbiev and former WBO champion Joe Smith Jr.

The lack of activity and pedestrian-level opposition that Buatsi has faced has kept him from becoming the big star he should be.

While supposedly less talented fighters like Conor Benn rose to stardom in the Matchroom organization, Buatsi has quite a few weaknesses in the platform, which is confusing given that he is qualified to do so. become the world champion.

With Benn, some would say it’s all just smoke and mirrors, as he’s not a world title-winner, but you can’t say the same about Buatsi.

“I think Buatsi needs to make up for lost time. He had his last battle with us. Now we match the right to move forward. We plan to make sure that he remains a Matchroom fighter and I think that’s his mindset as well,” Eddie Hearn told. iFL TV,” about Joshua Buatsi.

“The last time he competed was in May, and we want to see him back in the ring as soon as possible. I think there are some big fights out there for him.

“I think the fight with Anthony Yarde was a great fight. Dmitry Bivol, if Callum Smith fights Beterbiev, will find a way to protect him [light heavyweight] championship before the match against Canelo [in September]. I think Joshua Buatsi is the name we wanted to give that fight,” Hearn said.