The highly anticipated all-British light-heavyweight clash between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez has hit a roadblock as Azeez had to withdraw due to a back injury sustained during his training. The two fighters, Buatsi, aged 30, and Azeez, aged 33, were on the cusp of stepping into the ring at London’s prestigious O2 Arena this Saturday, with the victor earning the opportunity to challenge WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol.
Azeez, who holds the second position in the WBA rankings, expressed his dismay at the unfortunate timing of the injury, saying, “I’m devastated for this to happen on fight week.” Understandably, it’s a heartbreaking situation for a fighter who had never before withdrawn from a bout in his career. His apologies extended to the fans, especially those who had made plans to attend the event, and even to his opponent, Joshua Buatsi, his promoter, and everyone involved in the event’s organization. Azeez voiced his hope that the fight could be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.
The backstory of this fight carries a unique twist. Both Buatsi and Azeez, who happen to be friends outside the boxing ring, commenced their boxing journey at the same amateur club in south London. Their paths have now led them to a pivotal showdown in the professional circuit. The excitement around this clash had been building for some time, with fans eagerly anticipating their meeting.
Dan Azeez, holding the titles of English, Commonwealth, and European champion, had an impressive record of 20 consecutive professional victories. In contrast, Joshua Buatsi, an Olympic bronze medallist from the 2016 Rio Games, boasts a perfect professional record with 17 wins. This matchup was not only a significant step in their careers but would have also marked the first time either fighter had stepped into the ring in a venue as grand as the O2 Arena.
The promotional outfit, Boxxer, had been gearing up for a massive event, with over 10,000 fans expected to attend. Unfortunately, the news of Azeez’s injury came as a shock to everyone involved. Ben Shalom, the founder and CEO of Boxxer, expressed his understanding of the disappointment felt by both fighters, who had invested significant effort in preparing for this momentous battle. He also emphasized the paramount importance of the health and safety of the fighters, acknowledging that it must come before all else in the sport of boxing.
While this postponement is undoubtedly disheartening for fans, fighters, and organizers, there’s hope that this epic showdown will be rescheduled in the near future. Sports enthusiasts will have to wait a bit longer to witness these two formidable talents go head-to-head, but the anticipation for their clash remains as high as ever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boxing bout postponement
Why was the all-British light-heavyweight fight between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez postponed?
The fight was postponed because Dan Azeez suffered a back injury during his training, making him unable to compete on the scheduled date.
What were the implications of this postponement for the fighters?
For Dan Azeez, it was a heart-wrenching decision, as he had never withdrawn from a fight in his career before. It was also a missed opportunity for both fighters to challenge WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol.
Were there any special circumstances surrounding this fight?
Yes, Buatsi and Azeez share a unique connection as friends who started their boxing journey at the same amateur club in south London. This match was the first time either of them would have fought in a venue as large as the O2 Arena.
What’s the plan for rescheduling the fight?
Details of the fight being rescheduled are yet to be announced, but both fighters and fans are hopeful that it will happen soon.
How did the promotional outfit, Boxxer, respond to this situation?
Boxxer’s founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, expressed his understanding of the disappointment and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and safety of the fighters.
Is there still anticipation for the rescheduled bout?
Absolutely. While this postponement was disappointing, fans are eagerly awaiting the rescheduled match between these two formidable light-heavyweights.
More about Boxing bout postponement
- Joshua Buatsi – BBC Sport profile of Joshua Buatsi.
- Dan Azeez – BBC Sport profile of Dan Azeez.
- Dmitry Bivol – Information about WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol on the World Boxing Association’s official website.
- Boxing News – A source for the latest news and updates on the world of boxing.
- Boxxer – Official website of the promotional outfit Boxxer.
- The O2 Arena – Official website of the O2 Arena in London, where the fight was originally scheduled.
1 comment
azeez’z injury came outta nowhere. hope they reschedule it quick tho, can’t wait for thiz one!