Willy Hutchinson calls out Anthony Yarde and Yarde says it is '100% a fight I want to take'

The new WBC light heavyweight champion asked Yarde if he wanted "some of this smoke" in the ring in Manchester, and Yarde, who lost to David Benavidez for the same title, said Hutchinson boxed beautifully.

Willy Hutchinson called out Anthony Yarde in the ring minutes after beating Joshua Buatsi to win the vacant WBC light heavyweight title at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, and Yarde said it was "100% a fight I want to take".

Speaking live on DAZN in the ring, Hutchinson said: "Who do you want to see me next? Anthony Yarde, you want some of this smoke, baby? Let's go, let's go!"

Yarde had been at ringside and joined Hutchinson in the ring. Hutchinson said: "I've got big respect for this man, let me tell you. Listen, he's no walkover." He added: "Big respect, honest."

Yarde said: "100% a fight I want to take. Congratulations to Willy. I think he boxed beautifully, making him miss, making him pay." He added: "I think it will be an interesting buildup and an interesting fight if we fight."

Yarde challenged David Benavidez for the WBC title that Hutchinson has now won and lost by seventh-round TKO. Benavidez later vacated the belt when he moved up to cruiserweight. Yarde is 27-4 with 24 knockouts, and the win over Buatsi moved Hutchinson to 21-2.

Before the rematch, Yarde backed Buatsi to win so the two of them could fight for a world title. He also said Hutchinson is the better promoter of a fight and called Buatsi "as boring as watching paint dry outside of the ring".

DAZN News lists Yarde among three possible first opponents for Hutchinson, along with the winner of Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith on 12 December and a third fight with Buatsi.

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