DAN AZEEZ confirmed yesterday that he has signed his half of the deal to fight Joshua Buatsi.
Today (Friday), Boxing News can confirm that Buatsi has also agreed to the South London clash having received confirmation from promoter Ben Shalom by text message.
In a 15-month blitz, beginning in November 2021, Azeez 19-0 (13) picked up the British, Commonwealth and European light-heavyweight titles. The 33-year-old has now vacated the latter. Anthony Yarde and Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos have been put forward by the EBU to fight for the vacant strap.
Speaking to Sky Sports News yesterday Azeez confirmed that he is all in for the Buatsi fight.
“I’ve signed to fight Joshua Buatsi in a South London dust-up.
“Styles make fights and every time we’ve sparred it’s gelled. I can’t see it being any different in this fight. We’re both undefeated. As I said it’s an all-South London dust-up. It’s pride on the line and we want to contest and truly see who’s number one. I think you’d be expecting more than that explosiveness in sparring.
“I’m not worried about being underdog, what the bookmakers say. I’m used to being in that position. Whether he’s underestimated me or not that’s a him problem. He’s going to throw bombs, I’m going to throw bombs, we’re gonna let our hands go and I think it’ll be a very entertaining fight.”
Buatsi and Azeez have top five rankings across all four of boxing’s world sanctioning bodies and Boxing News understands that should they fight; it would be an eliminator with the winner moving on to an eventual shot at one of the belt holders. At the top of the 175lbs division Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have all four titles tied up.
Having left Matchroom and joined Ben Shalom and Boxxer earlier this year Buatsi 17-0 (13) made his debut for his new promoter on May 6 against Pawel Stepien. The 30-year-old kept up his own unbeaten slate with a comfortable 10-round points win.
Azeez returns to the ring in Milan, Italy on Saturday in a non-televised bout.
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