The British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to order a British light heavyweight title fight between champion Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde was the headline news of a busy championship circular.
Yarde (25-3, 24 KOs) remains embroiled in a contractual dispute with his promoter, Queensberry, but both he and Buatsi’s promoter, Ben Shalom, have spoken publicly about a long-overdue fight with Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) in recent days.
Should it happen, the fight would have world title implications for the winner, but the Lonsdale Belt would be an added bonus.
Both fighters have been out of action since February. Buatsi beat Dan Azeez for the British and Commonwealth titles whilst Yarde scored a routine third-round stoppage of Marko Nikolic.
Purse bids have been scheduled for July 10, but Yarde has some important business to conclude before then.
Long-reigning junior welterweight champion Dalton Smith has vacated his British 140-pound title to chase world honors. The vacant title will be contested by undefeated pair Henry Turner (13-0, 5 KOs) and Jack Rafferty (22-0, 13 KOs).
The fight will be a real clash of styles between the slick, stylish and maturing Turner and the smart pressure fighting of the heavy-handed Rafferty. Purse bids have been set for July 10.
At junior bantamweight, the Board has set an intriguing-looking Liverpool derby.
In April, Marcel Braithwaite (16-4-1, 1 KO) put on a disappointing display when challenging for Ricardo Malajika’s IBO title, but a fiery British title defense against his local rival Brandon Daord (10-0, 3 KOs) should provide him with plenty of motivation to right the ship. Daord is a precocious talent but has suffered more than his fair share of bad luck. The two have known each other for years, and the fight should create a rowdy atmosphere and produce a skilled, high-paced fight. Again, purse bids were set for July 10.
The news that London’s Zak Chelli will travel into Callum Simpson’s backyard to make the first defense of the British super middleweight title he took from Jack Cullen was announced earlier this week.
The two will fight outdoors at Oakwell – the home of Barnsley Football Club – for the British and Commonwealth titles on Aug. 3. Simpson (14-0, 10 KOs) has progressed quickly and has been handed a massive opportunity and platform by Boxxer. Chelli (15-2-1, 7 KOs) is used to boxing on the road and will aim to act as a spoiler.
British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney (18-0-1, 6 KOs) has been ordered to defend his title against Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0, 16 KOs).
Six months ago, the fight would have made perfect sense, but both fighter’s careers have veered in different directions. Heaney is preparing for a July 20 rematch with Brad Pauls after their thrilling draw in March, whilst Sheeraz’s stoppage of Austin “Ammo” Williams established him as one of the world’s brightest prospects. Sheeraz, 25, has his eyes set on a fight with Chris Eubank Jr. and a starring role on the super-card, which is apparently being planned for Wembley Stadium in September.
The rest of the circular read as follows:
HEAVYWEIGHT
FABIO WARDLEY (Holder)
CRUISERWEIGHT
CHEAVON CLARKE (Holder)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
JOSHUA BUATSI (Holder) v ANTHONY YARDE
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the contest to take place by the end of November 2024.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT
ZAK CHELLI (Holder) v CALLUM SIMPSON
The above contest to be promoted by Ben Shalom, will take place on Saturday, 3rd August 2024 in Barnsley.
This contest is also for Zak Chelli’s Commonwealth Boxing Council Super Middleweight Championship.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
NATHAN HEANEY (Holder) v HAMZAH SHEERAZ
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the contest to take place by the end of November 2024.
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (Vacant)
SAM GILLEY v LOUIS GREENE
A date and venue are awaited from Promoter Ben Shalom for the above contest.
WELTERWEIGHT
HARRY SCARFF (Holder) v LIAM TAYLOR
The Stewards decided to approve a request from both parties for the above Purse bid to be delayed by one month.
DOMINIC HUNT v BEN VAUGHAN
The above eliminator contest to be promoted by Stefy Bull, will take place on Saturday, 29th June 2024 in Rotherham.
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Vacant)
HENRY TURNER v JACK RAFFERTY
Following Dalton Smith vacating the above Championship, the Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the contest to take place by the end of November 2024.
LIGHTWEIGHT
SAM NOAKES (Holder)
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT
REECE BELLOTTI (Holder) v LEVI GILES
The Stewards decided to approve a request from Promoter Eddie Hearn for the above voluntary [defense] contest, which will take place on Saturday, 6th July 2024 at Copper Box Arena.
FEATHERWEIGHT
NATHANIEL COLLINS (Holder)
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT
DENNIS MCCANN (Holder)
BANTAMWEIGHT
ASHLEY LANE (Holder) v ANDREW CAIN
The Stewards decided to approve a request from Promoter Frank Warren for the above voluntary [defense] contest, which will take place on Saturday, 20th July 2024 in Birmingham.
SUPER FLYWEIGHT
MARCEL BRAITHWAITE (Holder) v BRANDON DAORD
The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the contest to take place by the end of November 2024.
FLYWEIGHT
JAY HARRIS (Holder)