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Light heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi has his sights set on a world title fight, but is also open to domestic showdowns with Anthony Yarde and Dan Azeez.
Buatsi, who currently holds the number one spot in the WBA rankings, faces Pawel Stepien on Saturday at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. With nearly a year of inactivity due to promotional issues, Buatsi knows he needs a win to maintain his ranking.
Despite his focus on a world title shot, Buatsi is eager to mix it up with other top light-heavyweights in England, including Yarde and Azeez.
"These are fights that are available and possible," Buatsi said. "It would be good to really mix it with these other light-heavies from England."
Buatsi praised Yarde for his heart in his two world title challenges, stating that the time could be now to make a fight between them. After years of back-and-forth banter between the two, Buatsi believes it's time to finally settle the score in the ring.
"At the end of the day he has fought for a world title twice and I haven't. I know he was stopped in both of them but he gave a good account of himself. I'll always give you the respect you deserve. Maybe now is the time to get it, maybe in a month's time, two months whatever it is. I'm sure he has his views about it as well."
But first, Buatsi must focus on his upcoming fight against Stepien. The undefeated Polish fighter will be hungry to make a name for himself and climb the rankings.
"I know he hasn't lost before, 18-0-1 with a good knockout percentage so a Polish fighter that's going to be hungry, that's going to fight, that's going to have the mentality of if I beat this guy who's highly ranked it puts him up there," Buatsi said. "That makes him a dangerous fighter."
Buatsi knows the importance of a win and keeping his ranking intact. With a world title shot in his sights, he is determined to make a statement in the ring on Saturday.