Best of British – Joshua Buatsi decisions Dan Azeez in WBA final eliminator
The Battle of South London was won decisively by Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13KO) when he decisioned Dan Azeez (20-1, 15KO) on Saturday night, February 3, in the OVO Arena, Wembley.
30-year-old Croydon combatant Buatsi won the 12-round British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight title fight with wide scores of 116-110 and 117-109 twice.
The domestic contest also doubled up as a WBA World light-heavyweight title eliminator, meaning the winner will now go on to challenge either WBA and IBO titleholder Dmitry Bivol or WBC, IBF, WBO champion Artur Beterbiev, who are expected to meet this year.
The headliners had to put their friendship aside, which was evident from their fast start. In round three, the pair were trading blows in the centre of the ring and continued this theme throughout.
Bookies favourite Buatsi just seemed to be a little more limber and free flowing with his shots, which helped to score two knockdowns in the penultimate round. The first knockdown, that followed after a series of straight shots down the middle from JB, looked more like a slip as Azeez’s foot slid back from underneath him.
However, the second knockdown in the final seconds of the 11th was unquestionable, as a right hook grazed over the forehead of Azeez to knock him over while unbalanced after throwing a left of his own.
Azeez looked very ragged by the 12th round of the high-octane, heavy-handed war, and it was quite clear Buatsi had won the cracking contest when the final bell rung.
The victor humbly praised the spectators when speaking to Sky Sports straight after his biggest career win, “Dan and I would like to thank everyone for coming out, we’re very grateful to put on a show in front of everyone.”
He then turned his attention to friend, sparring partner and former amateur stablemate, “He pushed me in every round, he’s a champion, I’m not happy to be taking his belts because all I wanted was the No.1 slot and I got it. But I couldn’t have done it without Dan and it’s a pleasure sharing the ring with him.”
Undercard Results
Adam Azim stops Enock Poulsen in round five
It was an unusually tentative start from the flashy Azim, who launched a few left hooks in the early feeling out process. He managed a great right hand in the second stanza, then was successful again with an overhand right. Azim’s jab is accurate and flawless.
Round three was another very mature performance from the youngster, then it all came to an end in round five after the former titleholder from Denmark suffered a shoulder injury.