Joshua Buatsi retains WBA international belt – and is first boxer to stop Ryan Ford

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Joshua Buatsi retained his WBA international light-heavyweight title with a seventh round stoppage of Canadian Ryan Ford.

The Croydon man took his record to 12 straight wins, 10 of them inside the distance.

A Buatsi win never looked in doubt, the test was arguably more if the South Londoner could be the first to stop Ford.

There was a question mark over the finish as the champion appeared to land a low left as Ford headed for the canvas.

Buatsi mixed up his shots well as he broke down the tough challenger, who has also had a career in MMA before boxing.

The body shots were the ones to cause the most damage with a right hook putting Ford down for the finish.

Ford suffered the fifth loss of a 21-bout career.

PICTURE BY MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM BOXING