Who needs enemies when you have friends like these? When Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez enter the ring at Wembley’s OVO Arena on Saturday night, there is more at stake than the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight belts. The all-British affair enjoys the added spice of friendship fraying at the seam, as the former training partners aim to put their opposite number to sleep.
Propping up the card is Adam Azim‘s first defence of his European super lightweight title that he earned with ease in just his tenth professional fight. Undefeated Dane Enock Poulson has travelled to the UK in an attempt to spoil Azim’s meteoric rise. Additionally, the undercard features squash matches for the highly talented Caroline Dubois, Ben Whittaker, and Francesca Hennessy.
Dan Azeez vs Joshua Buatsi
There was a time not so long ago when Joshua Buatsi appeared to be on the cusp of superstardom. The soft-spoken Londoner had tore through Liam Conroy in three rounds to earn the British light heavyweight title in 2019, then heading over to Madison Square Garden in the summer where he stopped the durable Marco Antonio Periban. A string of injuries, squalid match-making and conservative gameplans has seen Buatsi’s stock tank to unforeseen lows.
A statement victory over the hard-nosed Dan Azeez would provide wonderful PR for Buatsi – although it is not a foregone conclusion. While Buatsi’s masterful use of range should comfortably bank early rounds, Saturday night will not be the first time that Azeez has faced a counter-puncher. The 34-year-old leapt into the fire in Paris last year, challenging Thomas Faure for the European light heavyweight title. What transpired was an astonishing display of pressure fighting as Azeez forced Faure to throw at an unsustainable click, eventually felling the exhausted Frenchman in the twelfth round.
There is reason to believe that Buatsi will find a finish during the middle rounds, owning the tools to move laterally and pick apart Azeez’s aggression. It is also worth considering that Buatsi is yet to stop an opponent since 2021, and did not come close to finishing either Craig Richards or Pawel Stepien. Despite the holes in Azeez’s pressure-first approach, his style ensures tight scorecards in every fight – a major concern for Buatsi when paired with his tendency to coast rounds.
Azeez vs Buatsi Prediction: Buatsi Decision
Adam Azim vs Enock Poulsen
If you are an optimist, the co-main event sells itself two undefeated European talents challenging for an unfairly undervalued belt. Few words are required to describe Azim’s style inside and outside of the ring, after all, his viral knockout highlights and acrobatic celebrations have set social media alight. Meanwhile, Enock Poulsen has earned meaningful scalps against light heavyweight stalwarts Michal Syrowatka and Frank Petitjean in surprisingly entertaining fights.
If, however, you align to Pintsized’s pessimism, Saturday’s co-main will transpire as nothing more than Azim working up a slight sweat against a paper tiger. Poulsen’s style is undoubtedly entertaining, sitting in the pocket and launching blistering combinations of hooks. It will prove totally ineffectual against Azim’s slick boxing on the outside, though.
Azim vs Poulsen Prediction: Azim TKO Round 4
Caroline Dubois vs Miranda Reyes
Far, far more fanfare should be behind Caroline Dubois. The undefeated 23-year-old has steamrolled eight opponents across two years, rising the rankings in record fashion. While the talent pool at women’s lightweight may be shallow, Dubois’ PPV-friendly firepower and phenomenal fundamentals ensure she is a true gem of British boxing. Please bear that in mind when Dubois stops a hilariously overmatched opponent on Saturday for a Toys’r’Us belt.
Dubois vs Reyes Prediction: Dubois Decision
Ben Whittaker vs Khalid Graidia
Fresh out of the Olympics, Ben Whittaker chose to adopt the Floyd Mayweather business approach of ‘if they hate me, they will pay to see me fail’. Flashy footwork, scything in-ring taunting and sharp promos on the microphone have helped raise interest in the Midlander. Whittaker has also already compiled an impressive show reel of knockouts to make Boxxer’s marketing easier. It’s worth remembering, however, that Mayweather earned world titles as ‘Pretty Boy’ before his ‘hate me, pay me’ schtick…
Whittaker vs Graidia Prediction: Whittaker TKO Round 3
Francesca Hennessy vs Laura Belen Valdebenito
Forming the second half of promoter Mick Hennessy’s fighting pride, daughter Francesca presents herself as an intriguing prospect. Turning professional at the tender age of 18 years old, Francesca has earned convincing two wins against journeywomen to kickstart her career. There are several fundamental issues with her game, too many to list, yet it is too early to critique an evolving game.
Hennessy vs Valdebenito Prediction: Hennessy Decision
Jeamie Tshikeva vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko
After rolling the dice and failing in his last outing, Jeamie TKV returns to the ring against humble opposition. The 30-year-old’s ceiling is probably capped at British at best, however, Heavyweight is the easiest division to sell to a casual. Even Nick Webb found himself on a couple main events back in the day.
Tshikeva vs Dovbyshchenko Prediction: Jeamie TKV Decision
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