Joshua Buatsi will face former World Title challenger Craig Richards in a vast all-London Light-Heavyweight clash on Saturday, May 21, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).
Croydon’s Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) scored his tenth knockout when he stopped Latvia’s Ricards Bolotniks in the eleventh round of their WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title Eliminator on the third and final week of Matchroom Fight Camp in August.
The 29-year-old was set to face Russia’s former World Title challenger Maxim Vlasov on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s rematch with Derek Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester in December before suffering a hand injury.
Crystal Palace’s former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Richards (17-2-1, 10 KOs) put in a spirited display as he pushed WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol in his first World Title attempt in May 2021.
Last October, ‘Spider’ returned to winning ways at The O2 on the Cameron vs. McGee undercard, impressively stopping Poland’s Marek Matyja in six rounds to earn the vacant WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title.
“Two London boys coming together, it’s going to be a huge night,” said Buatsi. “The Light-Heavyweight scene in this country is thriving, and I’m glad that we can get one of the biggest fights made. The crowd is going to be in for a treat. I am coming to win and nothing else; I am sure Richards is doing the same. He had a close fight with Bivol, so I will want to make things straight, but I have other plans. Win well and then push onto the World Title by any means necessary.”
“We’re two top-tier fighters from the UK,” said Richards. “This is one of the biggest London domestic clashes for a long time. This is a fascinating fight for us both and one the fans will enjoy. Buatsi has got his plans, and I’m sure he will be well prepared, but nobody will stop me from fulfilling my destiny of becoming a World Champion! He is a solid competitor and will be coming to win, but I am confident and believe I have the tools to get the job done. I proved myself at world level, and I’m eager to prove that’s where I belong.”
“A big well done, and thank you to Joshua and Craig for taking this fight; it’s exactly the kind of fight boxing should be making,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “Two domestic Light-Heavyweights on the verge of a World Title shot decide to put it on the line rather than wait in a queue, giving us a fantastic battle of London that can only be a thriller.”
“Who doesn’t love big domestic dust-up? And this certainly fits that description, what a great fight this is set to be,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “With an electric Light-Heavyweight scene in the UK, Joshua Buatsi will face a big test on May 21 against former World Title challenger Craig Richards. From start to finish, this will be all-out action, all live and exclusively on DAZN.”
*Venue to be confirmed tomorrow at the launch press conference.
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