The WBO has decided to put the WBO interim light-heavyweight title in the mix following Artur Beterbiev’s injury, opting to mandate a bout between Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde to fight over the interim title. Due to unified 175 lbs champion Beterbiev being expected to return from injury in October or September, the interim title has been introduced to prevent the 175 lbs division from stagnating.
Earlier this week, the WBO ordered Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO’s) to deliver his [confidential] medical certification; a standard practice for the sanctioning body when fighters are set to be out for a long time due to circumstances such as injuries. Beterbiev had been set to fight Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KO’s) in an undisputed light-heavyweight bout on June 1st before an injury he suffered during training forced their bout to be postponed. Beterbiev is currently the holder of the WBC, WBO and IBF 175 lbs titles.
After having apparently confirmed Beterbiev’s injury status, the WBO has proceeded to swiftly prevent stagnation in the division by ordering Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KO’s) and Anthony Yarde (25-3, 24 KO’s) to fight over the vacant WBO interim light-heavyweight title; though this will be preceded by the obligatory negotiation period.
Despite the 175 lbs division continuing to remain active as an interim champion is set to be decided in the upcoming months, the potential future holder of the interim belt is unlikely to face the WBO belt holder; as Beterbiev is still expected to face Bivol upon his return from injury.
Boxxer fighter Buatsi is currently considered the #1 contender according to the WBO 175 lbs rankings, while Yarde occupies a spot at #2. While #2-rated Ukrainian contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KO’s) would normally qualify to participate for the interim title, his upcoming match June 15th against David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KO’s) forced the WBO to exclude him from the interim contest.
Complicating the WBO’s mandate is Yarde’s supposed free agent status, having announced himself to be a free agent last month only for his promoter, Frank Warren, to claim otherwise; explaining that Yarde was still contracted to Queensberry Promotions. With there appearing to be some sort of rift between Yarde and Warren, the negotiations with Boxxer might be affected as a result; unless Yarde finds himself with another promotion before the end of the negotiation period.
Another subject that might be of conflict with the ordered interim bout is Buatsi’s supposed mandatory status with the WBA, which he was thought to have attained after defeating Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KO’s)―as their fight had been ruled a final eliminator bout. The WBA is expected to substantiate on whether Buatsi will remain the mandatory challenger to Bivol’s WBA 175 lbs title; depending on whether negotiations between Buatsi and Yarde actually commences.
Then there is the fact that Boxxer has pulled out at least four of their fighters out of purse bids over the past one and a half year; setting up a scenario for the interim contest to be cancelled at the last moment.
The negotiation period has been set from May 8th to May 18th, and will be followed by purse bid proceedings if the two fighters’ teams fail to reach an agreement.
