Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez – Who wins and why?
A decade-long friendship will be cast aside on Saturday, October 21st when top British light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi (17-0, 13KO) and ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (19-0, 13KO) go head to head at The O2 in an unbeaten all-domestic clash, live and exclusively on Sky Sports.
Both Brits started out in the same South London amateur boxing club and years later their paths will collide in a professional boxing ring in what is expected to be the most 50-50 fight of 2023.
We asked our panel of boxing experts if they could pick a winner between Buatsi and Azeez and many struggled to…
Chris Billam-SmithWBO World champion
“I can’t pick it, maybe nearer the time I’ll have a better idea, but at the moment I can’t pick it. I know both guys very well and I can’t pick a winner.”
Denzel BentleyBritish middleweight champion
“I love both guys, but I think I’m gonna go with Azeez.”
Zak ChelliFormer English super-middleweight champion
“I’ve sparred with them both, I’m friends with them both, so I hope the one who trains harder wins.”
Miles Shinkwin Former English light-heavyweight champion
“Real tough fight to call. I sparred Josh many moons ago and couldn’t believe how accurate he was and his jab was one of the best I’ve been hit with. There’s been a few too.
“Dan has been in the big tests as a pro so it kind of evens it out for me. It’s really going to be about who can impose themselves or their style on the other. If Josh can keep him off, behind his jab then he can break him down. If he can’t keep him off and Dan get rough him up then he can probably stop Buatsi.
“Proper sitting on the fence but if I had to put money on it, I’d edge towards Azeez simply because of what/who he’s faced as a pro.”
Wayne AlexanderFormer World champion
“it’s not often that we get two unbeaten world class south Londoners battling it out in the ring for bragging rights and a possible shot at the world title.
“I’ve changed my mind a few times about who wins, this is good for British boxing.
“Joshua Buatsi got a lot of hype and exposure around him when he turned professional after winning a medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, but many think that he hasn’t fulfilled his potential as he has only won the British title. A very good natural, skillful box-fighter with decent power; I feel the better the opponent the better he will look.
“Dan Azeez, who will be his best opponent, has come up the old school way with no glitz and glamour, just getting the job done, has earned the right to be so confident.
“I think the fight will be an all-action, hard-fought 12-rounder; both seem to have decent chins, with Buatsi’s better boxing skills and technique being enough to win on a points decision”.
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
“It’s a 50-50 fight, almost impossible to call, so fans are in for a real treat.
“Joshua Buatsi probably has the edge in experience and power, as well height and reach, but Dan Azeez has come through the ranks in such a respectable way from small hall shows with no TV cameras to earning his place on the same stage that JB would have had his pro debut on. Azeez is one of the most inspirational boxers out there for doing it the hard way. Buatsi made the 20,000-seater O2 Arena his boxing home, whereas the York Hall was Azeez’s stomping ground, so there’s been a stark difference in the stages their careers have been set at. JB even fought on the Joshua-Ruiz undercard in Madison Square Garden!
“Although Buatsi will be taller and rangier, which you would instantly believe will enable him to use that impressive jab to full effect, I actually think this could suit the shorter man to be able to punch up through the guard. Punching down is more difficult to do, so if Buatsi isn’t able to use his jab effectively, then that will play a big part in how this fight goes. He will likely not be able to use it as often anyway, due to Azeez wanting to fight in mid-range where he can throw those powerful overhand rights. I can’t envisage these two boxing on the outside for long, both will want to step closer, apply pressure and detonate their right hands.
“Because of his journey, going through the ranks the harder, humbled way, and collecting good wins against Shakan Pitters, Rocky Fielding, Thomas Faure, I’m going to go with Dan Azeez to win on points; I’m also taking Buatsi’s inactivity into account too – his career hasn’t progressed as fluidly as Azeez’s has.
“I think the underdog could be the one to bite down on his gumshield, grind it out and want it more. There’s going to plenty of firefights during the match, so there could also be potential for a knockout.”
Ace AdamUnbeaten light-heavyweight
“First and foremost, I want to express my admiration for these two remarkable individuals who have pursued distinct paths in their journeys. It’s essential to acknowledge that neither path is easy; both require dedication and hard work. Whether you’re a part of the GB team or just starting out with small hall shows, I encourage you to take inspiration from these two young Kings.
“As for the upcoming fight, I won’t venture to predict the outcome. It’s a true 50/50 proposition, ultimately determined by mindset and determination. In this world, we either inspire or are inspired by others, and I genuinely value both men, Josh and Dan. Regardless of the fight result, these two individuals have made significant changes in their lives and are spreading positive vibes to the next generation. Best of luck to these Kings!”
Arijan Goricki Featherweight title contender
“I got Buatsi by late stoppage.”
Anish ParekhBBN writer
“I like this fight and it’s the sort of matchup that Buatsi was in need of for years to further his development.
“Both men made their debuts in 2017 but little hype was given to Azeez, whilst there was huge anticipation for Buatsi when he entered the pro ranks following a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.
“Buatsi is unquestionably talented, a big puncher and has that amateur pedigree to rely on. However, poor matchmaking and inactivity stifled Buatsi throughout his pro career and he looked one-paced and stagnant in his BOXXER debut.
“Azeez took the traditional route by winning Southern, English, British, and European titles in hard scraps whilst improving with every fight.
“The comparison of their careers is contrasting and the result of their clash could provide an intriguing case study in how to build and develop a fighter, particularly if Azeez is victorious.
“An Azeez victory wouldn’t be a surprise and adds an element of romanticism by rising through the ranks the hard way.
“However, I just have this instinctive feeling that says Buatsi’s power will be the telling factor as he lands a bomb on the busy Azeez, which causes a stoppage late in the fight.”
Ben WinwardBBN writer
“Very tough fight to call and will definitely be a barn stormer. Although Buatsi’s last outing against Pawel Stepien was an absolute snooze fest, I feel it was more the lack of jeopardy in the fight and a degree of complacency that led to a subpar performance. The combination of Dan Azeez’s all action style and the occasion that a big domestic showdown brings, should see Buatsi rise to the occasion and pull a top performance out of the bag, as he did in one of his better showings against Craig Richards last year.
“Buatsi has all of the amateur pedigree and the long-standing hype, even if his career is yet to quite explode in the same way it once looked destined to. Comparatively it was only a couple of years ago that Dan Azeez was considered a raw professional going into a 50/50 match up with Hosea Burton for the British title. Since then however, Azeez really has improved dramatically and grown into a legitimate contender on the world stage. On current form, it is Azeez who has actually been the more impressive with stoppage wins over Rocky Fielding and, on away soil, Frenchman Thomas Faure to claim the European title.
“For me however, there is a vast skill gap between these recent scalps and what Azeez will be up against in an on-form Joshua Buatsi, with the former Olympic Bronze medalist’s superior boxing skills and experience at fringe world level proving the difference between the two. Azeez will bring the heat and Buatsi will certainly have to come through some tough moments, but I think this will be a war where Buatsi runs out a close decision winner.”
Uros Djikanovic Boxing manager & advisor
“I honestly don’t have a prediction for this fight. Maybe Buatsi wins maybe Azeez. I will certainly watch this fight but I don’t know which fighter I can give an edge. I think Buatsis management team is carefully choosing his opponents. My fighter almost fought him but they backed out from the fight. It was like two years ago. There were talks of him fighting Maxim Vlasov but that fight didn’t realize. His team dragged us for months in anticipation so I don’t know what to think of this fight because Azeez is a great fighter. Maybe Buatsi can win because of the height and reach advantage but other than that I really don’t know.”
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