In a domestic shootout at light heavyweight, Joshua Buatsi scored a 12-round unanimous decision over friend and former training partner Dan Azeez to claim the British and Commonwealth championships. The official scores were 117-109, 117-109 and 116-110.
Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) scored two knockdowns in the eleventh round but was unable to find the finish despite a furious assault in the final session. The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist was a step ahead for most of the fight.
“[Azeez] pushed me every round, he’s a champion, and I’m not happy to be taking his belts,” said a modest Buatsi in his post-fight interview with Sky Sports. “It was a pleasure to share the ring with him. This guy will give anyone a hard fight.”
The action was contested mainly at long range in the opening rounds and it was Buatsi that had the shaper and more versatile attacks. He mixed the punches up well to head and body while Azeez tried to push his way inside.
There was great action at the end of the third round and Azeez managed to find some success at mid-range. However, Buatsi was undeterred and whipped home his shots with confidence as the crowd erupted.
Similar exchanges took place in the fifth and Buatsi got the best of it. One memorable left hook nailed Azeez and a crashing right landed just before the bell rang to end the session.
Buatsi controlled the action in the middle rounds behind the jab and also made a target of the body. Azeez wasn’t making life easy, though, and his work on the inside drew blood from Buatsi's mouth.
The ninth was the best round Azeez fought all night. He rattled Buatsi to the head with a series of hooks and followed up to the body. The sequence affected Buatsi but not enough to discourage him completely.
The knockdowns in round eleven both appeared to come from issues Azeez had with his footing. However, on both occasions, Buatsi was landing punches, and referee Bob Williams had no choice but to administer counts.
This fight was a WBA light heavyweight title eliminator. With the triumph, Buatsi, 30, positions himself for a shot at reigning champion Dmitry Bivol. However, the Englishman will have to wait because an undisputed title clash between Bivol and unified champ Artur Beterbiev looks inevitable for later in the year.
Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez fight card, schedule
- Joshua Buatsi def. Dan Azeez via UD 12 for the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight titles (117-109, 117-109, 116-110)
- Adam Azim (c) def. Enock Poulsen via TKO 5 (2:39) for the European super lightweight title
- Caroline Dubois def. Miranda Reyes via UD 10 (100-90, 100-90, 100-90); Lightweights
- Ben Whittaker def. Khalid Graidia via TKO 5 (1:57); Light heavyweights
- Francesca Hennessy def. Laura Belen Valdebenito via PTS 6 (60-63); Featherweights
- Jeamie Tshikeva def. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko via PTS (58-55); Heavyweights