WBO orders Buatsi v Hutchinson after Yarde silence

Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde are both from London and long-time rivals

The WBO has ordered England's Joshua Buatsi and Scotland's Willy Hutchinson to fight for its interim light-heavyweight title.

Buatsi was expected to fight fellow Londoner Anthony Yarde this summer for the right to take on WBO champion Artur Beterbiev.

However, 32-year-old Yarde says he is in a “contractual dispute” with his long-time promoters Queensberry.

After ordering purse bids on 29 May, the WBO gave Yarde 72 hours to confirm in writing if he would fight Buatsi.

The WBO says the time elapsed without an answer so it has now ordered negotiations to start between Buatsi and Hutchinson.

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom, who represents Buatsi, had asked the WBO for more time to negotiate with Yarde before Queensberry requested Hutchinson be considered instead.

Hutchinson, 25, is fresh off an impressive win over Englishman Craig Richards at the Matchroom v Queensberry five-versus-five event on Saturday.

He has 18 wins in 19 fights and claimed the WBC silver light-heavyweight title with his points win over Richards.

Buatsi, who won a bronze medal the Rio Olympics in 2016, is undefeated in 18 fights.

Yarde's future unclear

In the wake of the WBO's announcement, Yarde made a statement on social media insisting he was a promotional "free agent".

"Queensberry have now agreed in writing that the term of my previous promotional agreement has expired," he said.

"I am free to negotiate my future fights with any promoters, including Queensberry."

Queensberry, headed by promoter Frank Warren, released their own statement in response, saying: "Queensberry’s legal advice is that Anthony Yarde still has a contractual obligation to Queensberry, an obligation which Queensberry expects to be honoured."

Yarde last fought in February, a third-round knockout of Marko Nikolic.

Buatsi attended that fight and the pair shook hands at ringside on a potential fight this summer.

Yarde is one of the best light-heavyweights in the UK having twice challenged for a world title, but his immediate future now is unclear.