Highlight of this fight week in the UK, also with world ramifications, is the lead in to a big domestic light-heavyweight (12st, 7lbs/175lbs) showdown between ranked contenders in London on Saturday (21st).
Both billed from Croydon, south London; 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi faces British multi-champion Dan Azeez. It’s a fight between opponents who are familiar from hours of sparring and have the utmost respect in each other. The problem, and draw, is both want the same thing – a world title !
It’s a real throwback to the light-heavyweight match-ups of yesteryear in British rings; from Chris Finnegan against John Conteh in the 1970’s to Dennis Andries v Tony Sibson in the 1980’s.
Buatsi, originally from Ghana and emphasizing their proud fighting heritage, has waited patiently for the opportunity to launch himself further into the mainstream and onto a world title fight. First, he must clear up one of the domestic arguments. Azeez, known to be the more ‘blue-collar’ of the two with hero ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler providing his inspiration, is also attempting to break into the mainstream and onto world recognition.
It’s a ‘trade’ fight that given the undefeated records, local rivalry, and their obvious potential will likely add to that long history of British twelve and a half stone confrontations.
On face value, Azeez (20-0, 13 KO’s) is the more workmanlike of both fighters, steadily building his pace and momentum as his fights progress. Buatsi (17-0, 13 KO’s), although equally cerebral, is the more polished and world decorated of the two. They are respectively ranked #6 and 5 by The Ring magazine and recognised equally by the multiple ‘world’ sanctioning bodies.
Top of the tree are Russia’s Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KO’s) and Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO’s) who seem on a domestic collision course of their own. No match has yet been made but for them, but the Brit’s who emerge victorious over the next 12 months, out of Buatsi and Azeez, former 12st (168lbs) ‘world’ champion Callum Smith, twice world challenger Anthony Yarde and IBO champion Lyndon Arthur will be lining up to collect the world silverware left.
It truly is a big period ahead for the world ‘175 pounders’ and it all starts at the O2 Arena, North Greenwich, London on Saturday. Promoted by BOXXER it is also available live in the UK on Sky Sports and on Talksport radio. Look for the hype to build over the coming week.
The Undisputed 