Joshua Buatsi vs Anthony Yarde ordered by WBO after Artur Beterbiev’s withdrawal from Dmitry Bivol fight due to injury | Boxing News

Artur Beterbiev withdrew from his scheduled clash with Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight championship due to injury; the WBO has now ordered a fight between Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yarde for its interim belt.

The WBO has officially ordered Joshua Buatsi against Anthony Yarde for its interim light heavyweight belt following the postponement of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s clash for the undisputed championship.

WBC, IBF and WBO champion Beterbiev recently withdrew from his June 1 fight with WBA ruler Bivol after suffering a ruptured meniscus in training.

“Because of Beterbiev’s unavailability due to injury and required recovery time, this Committee hereby determines that [it] is in the best interests of boxing and the contenders in the WBO Light Heavyweight Division, that an interim championship is justified subject to specific provisions by this Committee in order to terminate the interim champion status within a required time in accordance with our policy of only one world champion in each weight class,” said the WBO in a statement.

“Therefore, by virtue of today’s ruling, the activity in the referenced weight category is not interrupted and consequently, safeguards and protects the rights and interests of the remaining contenders.”

More to follow…

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