Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez postponed just days before fight due to take place
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Saturday's light-heavyweight bout between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez at the O2 Arena has been called off after the latter suffered a back injury in his final training session.
“I’m devastated for this to happen on fight week,” said boxing stud Azeez in a statement. “It still hasn’t sunk in. I’ve never had to withdraw from a fight in my career before. I want to apologise to all the fans, especially those travelling to the fight.
"I am also extremely sorry to my opponent Joshua Buatsi, to my promoter and to everyone involved who has worked so hard on this date. I hope this fight can be rescheduled as soon as possible.”
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Unified world champion Artur Beterbiev has suggested he'd be open to giving the winner between Buatsi (17-0) and Azeez (20-0) a shot at his belts. The Russian-Canadian defeated another British contender in Anthony Yarde back in January, where he recorded his 19th stoppage in as many fights.
However, Beterbiev could now move on in his search for a next opponent, with a revised date between Buatsi, 30, and Azeez, 34, to be confirmed soon. The British light-heavyweight duo are known to be good friends but have each spoken about their intention to put any allegiances to one side ahead of their duel.
'Just Business' Buatsi – who is managed by two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua – returned to the ring in May after a year out and beat Pawel Stepian via unanimous decision. 'Super' Azeez, meanwhile, fought as recently as July when he bested 40-year-old Khalid Graidia over eight rounds.
Who will win between Azeez and Buatsi when they do face off? Let us know in the comments section below.
“This is a big shock, but everyone at BOXXER is working very hard to ensure we provide clarity for all fighters, teams and most importantly the fans as soon as we can," said Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of BOXXER, who are promoting the fight. “I know that Dan would do anything to be in the ring on Saturday night and for this to happen at this stage is devastating.
"This is a huge fight for British Boxing, but the health and safety of our fighters must come first. My heart goes out to Dan and Joshua, who have both completed tough camps, and to the fans, with more than 10,000 having made arrangements to come on Saturday."
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Shalom went on to say a revised date for the fixture would be announced 'as soon as possible', with the severity of Azeez's injury still unknown. Fans and boxing figures took to social media to express their disappointment after the postponement was confirmed.
Coach David Coldwell said he was 'gutted' to hear Tuesday's news but looked forward to "such a great fight" being rebooked. Meanwhile, former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards wrote: "Just goes from bad to worst for Boxerr. Gutted for both guys in this situation, rest recover and come again."
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