On Saturday, Joshua Buatsi showcased his exceptional boxing skills and took a significant step towards earning a shot at the world light heavyweight title. Buatsi faced off against his English rival, Dan Azeez, in a thrilling bout held at Wembley's OVO Arena in London.
Buatsi displayed precision and ambition throughout the fight, ultimately securing a unanimous-decision victory with scores of 116-110, 117-109, and 117-109. This win serves as an eliminator for the WBA world light heavyweight title, currently held by Dmitry Bivol. Moreover, Buatsi also claimed the British and Commonwealth titles from Azeez, solidifying his position as a formidable contender in the division.
Azeez put up a valiant effort, but Buatsi's accuracy and determination prevailed. In the 11th round, Azeez was knocked down twice, although he argued that they were merely slips. Nevertheless, Buatsi's resilient performance made him a deserving winner, especially after withstanding Azeez's spirited finish.
With a power punch count of 152-72 in his favor, according to CompuBox statistics, Buatsi reflected on the challenging nature of the fight, stating, 'He pushed me every round. Our pride was on the line. He made me fight every second. He will give everyone a hard fight.'
Buatsi, a Ghana native who relocated with his family to Croydon in south London at the age of 9, entered the ring as the No. 1 contender with two world governing bodies. This victory solidifies his position at the top of the queue among light heavyweight contenders eyeing a shot at the world titles.
However, Buatsi will have to wait patiently for his opportunity, as Bivol is scheduled to face Artur Beterbiev in June to decide an undisputed champion. This highly anticipated bout will see the two Russian champions clash for the WBC, IBF, and WBO belts.
Dan Azeez, ranked No. 2 by two world governing bodies and No. 3 and 4 by the others, still has a promising future despite experiencing his first defeat as a professional. Admitting that Buatsi outperformed him, Azeez graciously acknowledged, 'He was just the better man tonight. He's a great athlete.'
Buatsi and Azeez share a long history as both fighters hail from south London and have sparred with each other for over a decade. This familiarity was evident in the opening round, where they seemed to cancel each other out. However, Buatsi found his rhythm in the second round, landing impressive punches, including some powerful right uppercuts.
The excitement of the match intensified in the final 20 seconds of the third round, setting the stage for more thrilling exchanges in the subsequent rounds. Buatsi's precise punches and well-timed left hooks showcased his boxing prowess, while Azeez fought back with determination, delivering a few solid blows of his own.
As the fight progressed, Buatsi dictated the pace and maintained his smooth rhythm. Despite Azeez's occasional surge of pressure, Buatsi's jab remained impressive and helped him control the ring. Azeez's resilience was evident in the ninth round as he tried to regain lost ground, but Buatsi's dominance remained undeniable.
The 11th round brought some controversy when Azeez was given a count after appearing to slip to the canvas, followed by another count on the bell when Buatsi landed a powerful right. Azeez contested both counts, claiming they should have been ruled as slips. Although Azeez went for a knockout in the final round, Buatsi's slick defense prevented any significant damage.
Aside from the main event, two notable fights took place on the undercard. Adam Azim successfully defended his European super lightweight title after Enock Poulsen dislocated his shoulder, leading to a fifth-round stoppage. Caroline Dubois, an English boxer, also demonstrated her skills, securing a shutout victory over Miranda Reyes and remaining a potential contender for a world title shot.
While Joshua Buatsi awaits his opportunity to challenge for a world title, his impressive win over Dan Azeez has solidified his position as one of the leading light heavyweight contenders. With his remarkable skills and determination, Buatsi's future in the boxing world looks exceptionally promising.
