JOSHUA BUATSI made his subsequent combat official when he appeared on Sky Sports activities Information at present.

The 30-year-old put pen to paper on a contract to combat buddy and Boxxer stable-mate Dan Azeez.

“He’s accomplished his half so I can solely do my half and stay up for an enormous combat, an enormous home conflict in October hopefully,” Buatsi stated.

Days earlier than a tick-over combat in Milan on Saturday Dan Azeez introduced that he had signed his contract to face a person he has sparred lots of of rounds towards. All that’s left now could be a date and venue for the light-heavyweight South London derby.

“Somebody I’m very aware of however we perceive what’s at stake,” Buatsi stated. “And it’s a last eliminator for a world title which is what we wanna win so for 12 rounds or much less we will make it occur.”

Croydon’s Buatsi 17-0 (13) joined Azeez at Boxxer earlier this 12 months having ended his time at Matchroom with Eddie Hearn. Whereas the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist could have the pedigree and the extra recognisable title it’s Azeez who has all of the momentum. In lower than two years Azeez picked up the British, Commonwealth and European titles at 175lbs. The 33-year-old has vacated the latter which he received in France towards Thomas Faure with a stoppage within the last spherical of their March matchup.

It’s nicely documented how nicely each Buatsi and Azeez know one another given their friendship and the variety of punches they’ve thrown at each other in sparring. Each ought to have a transparent concept of what to anticipate on combat night time.

“We all know how Dan fights,” Buatsi remarked. “He’s gonna be there to win. There’s an strategy he has and I’ve obtained that strategy, too. Buddies or no mates somebody coming to do this to me on Sky Sports activities what can I do. I’ve obtained to combat again, present up. It’s one thing I’m trying ahead to.”

Buatsi was requested if the period of time they’ve spent sparring is a constructive or a damaging.

“For now, it turns into irrelevant or one thing I couldn’t care much less about. In our sub-conscious we all know how that sparring went and what to do and what I must work on based mostly on that. The fantastic thing about it now could be we’ve obtained totally different trainers. I’d say we’ve each truly improved so it’ll be good to see how that unfolds over 12 rounds.

Azeez 20-0 (13) is now well-known for his stress preventing type. The Lewisham fighter has utilized in your face aggression to good impact backed by efficient punching which has stopped 5 of his final seven opponents.

“We all know he’s a stress fighter,” Buatsi stated.

“[He] could come out and field for a bit however will revert to what he does, or he could begin off doing what he does and simply be higher at it. Whether or not it’s a protracted vary, brief vary, mid-range I’ll put together for any kind. All angles. I’m not specializing in one kind of fashion. I’m making ready for all the things so the underside line when it’s all stated and accomplished like my boy stated to me once we walked in, we have now to only win.”