South London light-heavyweights collide – Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi sign contracts to face each other
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi are poised to settle the dispute over which of them is South London’s number one light-heavyweight with the pair signing contracts to face each other later in 2023.
The unbeaten duo look set to meet around October time.
Lewisham’s Azeez (20-0, 13KOs) has activity on his side and has boxed five times since the start of 2022.
During that timespan the 33-year-old has won the British, Commonwealth and European titles.
Azeez has also slipped in an eight-round points win las month over Khalid Graidia in Verbania, Italy to keep himself ticking over.
Olympian Buatsi turned professional in 2017 but his progression has been pedestrian.
The Croydon man won a wide unanimous decision over Pawel Stepien in Birmingham in May, his first outing under new promoter BOXXER.
Buatsi has fought just twice since August 2021, also winning a points verdict over Crystal Palace’s Craig Richards at Greenwich’s 02 Arena in May of last year.
Azeez and Buatsi are rated sixth and seventh in the world respectively by BoxRec – a highly-respected stats-based website.
Canadian-based Russian Artur Beterbiev – a target for the duo – will be making a mandatory defence of his IBF, WBC and WBO titles in Quebec in August against Liverpool’s Callum Smith.
Azeez-Buatsi is being billed as a final eliminator for a world title shot.
Dmitry Bivol is the WBA ‘Super’ world champion and does not have any opposition scheduled.
The winner of Azeez-Buatsi is set to push themselves into a mandatory position – making it impossible for a belt-holder to avoid them.
The pair have sparred hundreds of rounds but both have switched trainers in recent times.
Azeez is largely based Stateside with Buddy McGirt, who also trains Brixton heavyweight Dillian Whyte, while Buatsi is with Virgil Hunter.
“I know what Dan is going to try and bring,” said Buatsi.
“He is a pressure fighter. Whether it is long-range, short-range or mid-range, we’ll prepare for all angles.
“A fighter like Dan isn’t coming to survive. He is coming with the mentality of a [Marvin] Hagler. Whether he comes to fight or box, he is coming to win. A man coming to win is a dangerous man.
“It will be a different dynamic to my last opponent. I thought he was coming to win but after 30 seconds he changed his mind.”
PICTURES: LAWRENCE LUSTIG AND MARK ROBINSON