Joshua Buatsi v Dan Azeez: Anthony Yarde preview British light-heavyweight fight

Light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi (L), Anthony Yarde and Dan Azeez are all from London

Anthony Yarde writes for BBC Sport previewing Joshua Buatsi's light-heavyweight fight against Dan Azeez on Saturday in London.

The two-time world title challenger also runs the rule over a hugely competitive light-heavyweight scene in the UK and looks to his own future before his comeback on 10 February.

Who is the best light-heavyweight in Britain? Could the winner of Buatsi v Azeez fight Yarde?

Myself, Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez are all light-heavyweights from London. I see them around a lot.

Fans might wonder what happens when rivals meet out of the ring.

But there's no drama when I see them. I've known Azeez for years, we used to train out of the same gym before I turned pro. He's a good guy, I always hug him when I see him. We talk as normal. It's the same with Craig Richards, another light-heavyweight from South London. Buatsi has always been more of a business relationship.

But I do see him around. I ran into him not long ago at a birthday party of Stormzy - the rapper is a friend of mine. I saw Buatsi and we talked about fighting each other. But the talk of me and Buatsi fighting has gone on a long time.

I watched Buatsi at the 2012 Olympics. All I saw then was a London boy in the Olympics, so I was supporting him.

He got a bronze medal. That was brilliant to me. I started boxing soon after.

As soon as he turned professional, because I was making noise, his name started coming up. You don't mention Buatsi's name without mentioning mine. To be honest, I blame Eddie Hearn, his previous promoter.

Every time Buatsi fought, Hearn mentioned my name.

It became a trend. I feel like that annoyed Buatsi a little bit. It would annoy me. I've been asked a lot of questions about Buatsi in my career and I always answer honestly.

His whole career has been based off of me, without even fighting. I said that to him as well.

At Stormzy's birthday party, we agreed it's time to fight. I saw him at York Hall last October and we agreed it's time to fight. Sometimes it's all about timing.

Azeez and Buatsi fight each other on Saturday. Either of them against me is a bigger draw than one of them fighting for a world title. That's not me being cocky.

I fought Artur Beterbiev, the monster. I went to Russia to fight Sergey Kovalev. I've taken all the big risks in world title fights and I feel like I'm respected for it.

Everyone saw what I did against Beterbiev. I have no fear.

For Azeez or Buatsi to fight me, it's a big fight. But fighting each other, my name is still getting thrown in there as 'the winner fights Anthony' - so I'm the prize here?

• LISTEN: 5 Live Boxing - One night in Belfast

I want to fight them. Even if it's not Buatsi, I want big fights. I'm back out on 10 February at the Copper Box Arena. I've already had five opponents pull out.

I don't see anyone as a warm-up, but I do want rounds under my belt. I'll say it on national TV, I'll say it wherever: I want big fights only for the rest of the year.

Who sits atop the light-heavyweight tree?

The light-heavyweight scene in the UK is incredible right now. There's also Callum Smith, who got stopped by Beterbiev last month.

There's lots of rumours Beterbiev will fight Dmitry Bivol next for the undisputed title. That will tie up the belts, so now is the time for us Brits to fight.

If I had to create a pyramid of the best of us, I'd put myself top. That's based on accomplishments at light-heavyweight.

Based on careers, you have to put Smith at the top. He's been world champion at super-middleweight. I'm an honest man, I can't put myself above him.

But light-heavyweight is a completely different weight. I feel I'm number one. Then I would put Smith.

Then I'd put…you know what, based on recent performances, Azeez is third and then it's Buatsi. Richards at five.

'Buatsi v Azeez a 50/50 fight'

Buatsi and Azeez were originally meant to fight in October before an injury to Azeez

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.

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.

But when you're a fighter, you want to make a statement. The energy is there with you, you want to shut everyone up.

A good fight sets up my fight with either of them.

I think it's a bigger fight if Buatsi wins but I have so many options right now. I could fight Smith, I could move up to cruiserweight and fight world champion Chris Billam-Smith.

When it's a world title, I'm going for it, no matter what.