O2 Arena, London, UK. In the main event of the evening in the WBA eliminator, two Britons met: prospect Joshua Buatsy (16-0, 13 KOs) beat ex-challenger Craig Richards (17-3-1, 10 KOs), who last year gave a very worthy fight to the division leader and Russian WBA Super champion Dmitry Bivol.
Buatsi occupied the center of the ring, acted aggressively. Richards could not keep up with his speed, so he was forced to knit in the clinch. In the last seconds, the ex-applicant got a good blow, but held on to the gong.
Here We Go #BuatsiRichards
Tune In NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/eEb5NfshYl
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 21, 2022
The second round was more competitive. First, Buatsy countered beautifully with an overhand right, then Richards responded with a two and an uppercut. The prospect often has overhands, sometimes it turns out to deceive the opponent (showed an attack on the body, hit in the head).
Buatsi is very good at infighting (even very, very good), but at the last second of the 3rd round he blundered a two. I did not have time to return the favor – the gong sounded. At the end of the next three minutes, the Britons staged an evil mahach. Buatsy dived away from Richards’ blows, in response he brought several hooks to the target. The prospect shocked the ex-challenger in the next round and rushed to finish off – all on defense.
Buatsi often forgot about the jab (the front hand is very good), and even more often did not develop successful episodes. For this, he got a good deal from coach Virgil Hunter. In the 8th round, both often shot below the belt, and then staged a desperate exchange. It may have been the first round in favor of Richards.
This one is heating up #BuatsiRichards pic.twitter.com/6CuGKk40DT
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 21, 2022
The ex-contender leveled the course of the fight as much as possible in the final quarter of the bout, both were very tired. The final seconds, as expected, passed in a malicious mahacha. Buatsi was better.
The score of the judges: 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in favor of the favorite.
Buatsi UD 12.