Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
NINE months to the day of a surprisingly wide 12-round decision defeat by Willy Hutchinson in Riyadh, British light-heavyweight contender Craig Richards will find himself navigating choppy waters on away soil once again – this time knowing another loss could spell the end of his decade-long professional career.
Continue reading “McCrory matchup is career-defining for Craig Richards, Hearn and Sims agree”
105 days after the original date, the light-heavyweight division duel between domestic rivals Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi will finally take place on Saturday night. One man’s unbeaten record has to go and with it, so does their world championship ambitions. Azeez has gone the scenic route to this point but been increasingly bullish about what’s at stake for him too aged 34, underdog or not. Continue reading “Dan Azeez isn’t just the defending champ – he’s a dangerous, determined underdog”
British and European light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez has the momentum, having boxed three times in three different countries over the past nine months. Joshua Buatsi may have won the domestic strap four years ago, but the Olympic bronze medallist still hasn’t yet reached the world championship heights many tipped for him given such amateur pedigree. Now, one Londoner’s unbeaten streak will end on October 21. Who has the nerve? Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator”
His decision win over London rival Craig Richards long forgotten, light-heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi turned 30 in March and celebrated by signing an exclusive multi-year agreement with BOXXER. Two months later, he headlines against a fellow unbeaten hopeful: Poland’s Pawel Stepien, hungry to seize credentials the Olympic bronze medallist has steadily built at pro level.
Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi ends a year-long layoff vs. Pawel Stepien, and must keep winning”
Having had a few months to recuperate and reflect after exceeding expectations in a spirited defeat by long-reigning world champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28, two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde tells me of his desire to have two fights before 2023 ends and maintain momentum, aware the light-heavyweight division is in a fantastic place right now. Continue reading “Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention”
Unbeaten mandatory challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will face WBA champion Dmitry Bivol next, so it seems. Joshua Buatsi, whose world title ambitions were solidified after beating Craig Richards, agreed to enter talks for a sanctioned IBF final eliminator against Jean Pascal for one of the three light-heavyweight titles currently owned by Bivol’s compatriot Artur Beterbiev.
Continue reading “Buatsi, Pascal agree IBF invitation to enter talks for final LHW title eliminator bout”
It wasn’t perfect, but domestic duels rarely are. Joshua Buatsi’s world title ambitions got another boost as he started well and led throughout en route to a unanimous decision victory over Craig Richards, in a battle of south London which didn’t disappoint from the O2 Arena. Continue reading “Buatsi stays unbeaten at 16-0 with impressive UD win over domestic rival Richards”
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After a hand injury shelved a proposed bout vs. Russian former world title challenger Maxim Vlasov on Dec. 13, Joshua Buatsi is fully recovered and now faces Craig Richards in a domestic tussle between two light-heavyweights acting as a title eliminator of sorts. Richards produced a spirited showing but ultimately fell short against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol last May. Continue reading “Battle of south London booked: Joshua Buatsi vs. Craig Richards LHW clash set for May 21”
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Preparing to make the sixth defence of his WBA International light-heavyweight title this weekend vs. unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (15-0), Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) has spoken of his excitement at being able to showcase his improvements after venturing to the US under world-renowned trainer Virgil Hunter as he eyes a title shot in the near future.
Continue reading “Progress: Joshua Buatsi excited to showcase his USA-based improvements”
After suffering a split decision loss to Lyndon Arthur for the Commonwealth and vacant WBO inter-continental titles back last December, light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde will make his return in a ten-round bout against Germany’s Emin Atra on April 24 at York Hall. Continue reading “Blow away the cobwebs: Anthony Yarde to return vs. unbeaten Emin Atra, April 24”
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