Friday 1 December 2017 11:12, UK
Anthony Yarde has targeted a shot at the British light-heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.
The unbeaten 26-year-old was ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to fight Hosea Burton in a final eliminator for the 'Wise Guy's' strap earlier this year, but chose to defend his WBO European title against Norbert Nemesapati instead - a decision which he believes was the best choice for his career at the time.
"I'm very happy with how it's worked out," Yarde told the Seconds Out Podcast.
"That wasn't the plan, that's something I think Frank Buglioni, Eddie Hearn and Hosea Burton's trainer (Joe Gallagher) put to the board.
"I'm not in second place to Frank Buglioni even though he's British champion and has more experience than me. I'm in the top 10 with the WBO and he hasn't got a top-10 ranking with any sanctioning body.
"I bring something to the table, and he brings something to the table, so that's the fight that's interesting to me."
Buglioni claimed the Lonsdale Belt after a stunning 12th-round knockout victory over Burton last December.
The Enfield fighter has successfully defended the belt twice, against Ricky Summers and Craig Richards respectively, and has admitted in recent months that a fight against Yarde interests him if it is mandated.
However, Yarde believes his ranking on the world stage warrants a direct shot against Buglioni, and that his choice to fight Nikola Sjekloca next proves he is not fazed by anyone.
"They wanted to make me fight Hosea Burton who was knocked out by Frank Buglioni.
"I'm on my own path and the next guy I'm fighting is a two-time world title challenger. He's never been knocked out; Hosea Burton has been knocked out; Frank Buglioni has been knocked out.
"Sjekloca has had more fights than both of them and the ones he lost were to world-class opposition. He drew his last fight with the European champion so I'm stepping up levels.
"I'm not living my career through other people."
