Joshua Buatsi Pulls Away With Two Knockdowns To Beat Dan Azeez
Joshua Buatsi got the better of his friend and former sparring partner, beating Dan Azeez in a thrilling encounter.
Buatsi became the British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion, a victory that made him the WBA mandatory for Dmitry Bivol’s belt. Heading into the fight, there was much on the line. Both boxers were undefeated, but Buatsi would inflict the first loss of Azeez’s career.
The opening round had little to separate them, as both men stayed behind the jab. That did not take long to change as Buatsi landed a strong body shot, with Azeez responding with a right over the top, in the second round.
Buatsi vs Azeez
Buatsi stepped through the gears, landing a solid left hook that Azeez stoop up to in the fourth round. An action-packed fifth round followed, with both fighters trading left hooks on the bell. Azeez remained defiant, returning with a much better next round as he landed a strong right hand.
Buatsi Pulls Away
Buatsi was ahead in the fight past round six, as Azeez’s corner demanded that he bend low and target the body. The champion had a much better round nine and ten, as he threatened a strong finish. Despite this, his good work was undone in the 11th. Azeez slipped and hit the canvas during an exchange, with the referee calling it a legitimate knockdown.
This happened again as Azeez slipped during some trading, giving Buatsi a 10-7 round. That proved crucial in a fight where there was little to separate them. Buatsi won the decision in a wide scorecard: 116-110, 117-109, 117-109. The victory means Buatsi is on course to face the winner of Bivol-Beterbiev for all the belts. Meanwhile, Azeez must return to the drawing board following the first defeat of his career.
Post-Fight Comments
“I’m very grateful to god. Dan [Azeez] and I would like to thank everyone for coming out. He pushed me every round, he’s a champion. I couldn’t have done it without Dan, it’s a pleasure to share the ring with him. Dan was pounding my head. He made me fight every second. Dan, big up yourself. This guy will give anyone a hard fight. I’ll leave it [my next fight] to my training team. I want to put the spotlight on Dan, he pushed me. It was a great fight,” Buatsi
“He’s just the better man tonight. I can’t say one particular thing. Today he came and performed. He’s a great athlete inside and outside the ring. I respect him. He’s won tonight, he deserves what’s coming next,” Azeez
Full Card
Joshua Buatsi beat Dan Azeez for the British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Title
Adam Azim beat Enock Poulsen via TKO 5 – European Super Lightweight Title
Caroline Dubois beat Miranda Reyes via UD 10 (100-90, 100-90, 100-90); Lightweight
Ben Whittaker beat Khalid Graidia via TKO 5 (1:57); Light Heavyweight
Francesca Hennessy beat Laura Belen Valdebenito via PTS (60-63); Featherweight
Jeamie Tshikeva beat Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko via PTS (58-55); Heavyweight
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