Buatsi to battle Azeez in WBA title eliminator
Unbeaten British-Ghanaian boxer, Joshua Buatsi, is expected to lock horns in an eagerly anticipated final eliminator bout against Dan Azeez for the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight title on August 19.
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Buatsi (17-0, 13KOs) and Azeez (19-0, 13KOs) have held the first and second rankings, respectively, by the WBA since November 2022.
Joshua Buatsi, originally from Accra, Ghana, but currently residing in Croydon, London, aims to secure a world title shot for the first time in his career.
He boasts an impressive record of 17 wins in 17 fights, with an impressive knockout ratio of 76.47%. He has knocked out 10 of his last 12 opponents, including recent unanimous decision victories over Craig Richards and Pawel Stepien.
His opponent, Dan “Super” Azeez, presents a formidable challenge. Azeez currently holds the European Boxing Union (EBU) Light Heavyweight title, which he secured by knocking out Thomas Faure in the 12th and final round on March 12.
Additionally, Azeez is the reigning British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) light heavyweight champion and Commonwealth Boxing Council light heavyweight champion.
He won the BBBofC title by defeating Shakan Peters via unanimous decision on September 3, 2022, and claimed the Commonwealth Boxing Council title by knocking out Rocky Fielding in the 8th round while successfully retaining his BBBofC title.
The winner of the Buatsi vs Azeez bout will become the mandatory challenger for the current WBA Super World light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11KOs).
Bivol will undoubtedly face a strong contender as he defends his title against the victor of this eliminator bout.