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Boxing

Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez: Anthony Yarde makes prediction for light heavyweight fight

Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez: Anthony Yarde makes prediction for light heavyweight fightMatchroom Boxing
The British light heavyweight will have a keen eye on this particular match-up.

Anticipation is building ahead of Saturday's British light heavyweight showdown between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez.

The fight, which will be shown live on Peacock in the US, sees two men put their friendships aside for a shot at WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, but there is one man who is keen to face the winner. 

Anthony Yarde, who has two world title challenges to his name, has been linked with facing both men and with Bivol set to face Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175lbs later this year, now could be the perfect time for the 32-year-old to face the winner of Buatsi vs. Azeez. 

Looking ahead to the contest in a column for BBC Sport, Yarde is expecting a tactical battle come the first bell at the OVO Arena Wembley. 

"As for this Saturday, it's a real 50/50 fight. Five years ago it wouldn't have been, Buatsi would have been a clear favourite," Yarde said. 

"But Azeez's performances of late make it a much closer fight. You can't write him off. I haven't been surprised by how good he has become. I saw how hard he worked in the gym.

"He's done it almost the hard way as a professional, moved up step by step. It's been calculated and he's looked better and better.

"For Buatsi, the pressure is on. There's been questionable performances but on paper, he's a phenomenal fighter.

"But if he fought me the way he did his last opponent Pawel Stepian, it would be a two-round fight. I got a lot of messages after that saying I would destroy him.

"But, big fights bring out the big performances so I don't take anything from that.

"This fight could actually be a stinker, very tactical to watch."

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