Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez tale of the tape: How light-heavyweight stars compare ahead of huge Wembley showdown
JOSHUA BUATSI and Dan Azeez put together to put friendships apart for British boxing bragging rights.
The unbeaten light-heavyweight pair struggle for the No1 contender spot for the WBA belt held by Dmitry Bivol.
They have been resulting from meet on October 21 at the O2 however damage pressured Azeez out and a rescheduled date of February 3 at Wembley Arena was set.
The two have been as soon as good associates, who combined in mutual circles and shared several rounds of sparring together.
But relationships strained once they signed battle contracts and that only intensified when Azeez pulled out merely days before the initial bout.
Buatsi, 30, is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and one touted for the longer term when he turned pro a year later.
And despite 17 wins and 13 knockouts in six years, the former novice standout has been hampered with inactivity.
Promotional and managerial shifts have not helped either.
Buatsi is at the centre of a legal case between Matchroom Boxing, his former promoter, and Boxxer, who he last yr signed for.
And despite all of the promise on the earth, Buatsi has not yet been given the best opponent to really showcase his talent.
At 6ft 2in, he has a attain of 74+1⁄2 in and makes use of it to full advantages with long, stinging attacks to go and body.
Buatsi is likely one of the most spiteful punchers in the nation and division worldwide.
Azeez meanwhile stands simply 5ft 10in and sometimes comes up towards much taller opponents.
However he has adopted and seek and destroy fashion, bobbing and weaving on the entrance foot and launching hurtful punches excessive.
He only has a reach of 70in, but Azeez additionally has 13 stoppages to his identify, typically overwhelming opponents together with his leaping mixtures.
Azeez has had robust, home dust-ups towards the likes of Hosea Burton, Shakan Pitters and Rocky Fielding.
And it has earned him the British, Commonwealth and European light-heavyweight titles.
A world title shot can be the subsequent on the listing and that's on the road towards Buatsi, making for one of many fights of the yr.
More >> https://ift.tt/DrWu07F Source: RED ROADS