Frank Warren offers to make Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Johnson
Promoter Frank Warren has offered up light heavyweight Callum Johnson (19-1) as an opponent for rising British star Joshua Buatsi (14-0, 12KOs).
Here is what the Hall of Fame promoter said: "I saw Joshua Buatsi headline one of Matchroom’s recent shows and a few people have mentioned since that they would love to see him against someone like Callum Johnson.
"We would make that fight in a heartbeat. In. A. Heartbeat! I'm not sure his team would let him near that one – but if he wants to fight a live opponent, it's there if they want it!
"I like Buatsi, he did what he needed to do and it was a good knockout but the fella he was fighting was… he was what he was. But job done for Buatsi. Now come and have a piece of Callum!"
Johnson has just one lone loss on his ledger during a failed title bid against Artur Beterbiev in 2018, in which Johnson scored a knockdown. He has since rebuilt with two impressive TKO wins against opponents with a combined record of 61-4.
Against Marko Calic, the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist showed his vulnerability as he struggled to get a foothold in the contest. However, he turned the tide to score a stoppage by round seven.
The Ghanaian from Croydon stopped unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos in his last fight in May, but 15-0 light-heavy was an overmatched opponent and it offered the 28-year-old Briton very little in his rise up the ranks. With that sixth defence of his WBA International title, Buatsi is now placed at No.2 in the World Boxing Association rankings, one place behind Robin Krasniqi.
Callum Johnson is ranked WBC #13; IBF #9; and WBO #11. On BoxRec, Buatsi is #1 and Johnson #2, so if 'JB' is intended on progressing to world level then it would make good sense to face Callum to determine his position as No.1. After his last two fights, he definitely needs a strong opponent that won't be questioned when he wins.
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