In an electrifying showdown at Wembley Arena, boxing fans witnessed Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez put their friendship aside to engage in a fierce battle for supremacy in the light-heavyweight division.
The pair went toe-to-toe in a final eliminator for Dmitry Bivol’s WBA title, with Buatsi emerging victorious via unanimous decision.
The fight may have taken place four months later than expected after Azeez sustained a back injury in the build-up to the original date in October, 2023.
However, the postponement only made Buatsi’s victory sweeter.
The buildup to the fight was intense, with both fighters displaying unwavering confidence in their abilities while acknowledging the mutual respect they shared outside the ring.
Joshua Buatsi emerged victorious in an all-British clash with former training partner Dan Azeez
As the opening bell rang, Buatsi wasted no time in unleashing a barrage of punches, looking to establish dominance early on.
Meanwhile, it was a more cautious start from Azeez, looking to feel out his opponent and former friend.
Buatsi showcased his trademark combination of speed and power, landing crisp jabs and thunderous hooks throughout.
However, Azeez refused to back down in the second round, responding with his own flurries of punches and demonstrating his resilience in the face of Buatsi’s relentless assault.
The pace of the fight accelerated in the third round with neither fighter willing to give an inch.
Buatsi landed a powerful body shot that took the wind out of Azeez, while the 34-year-old connected with the a beautiful right hand. The pair continued to exchange blows in the middle of the ring, causing the fans to ride to their feet.
He continued to dictate the pace and looked to find his range in the fourth round.
Animosity between the pair was palpable from the outset in their headline clash at Wembley Arena
Both fighters landed solid punches from the outset, with neither man willing to give an inch
Buatsi invested to the body repeatedly from the outset landing punches in combination
The ebb and flow of the action kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, as each fighter landed significant blows while also displaying impressive defensive skills in the fifth round.
Round seven saw Buatsi control the tempo and slow the pace down. Meanwhile, Buddy McGirt was calling for Azeez to target the body.
A touch of gloves before the eighth, with both men respecting each other’s contribution up until that point.
Buatsi began to assert his dominance, landing a series of punishing blows that rocked Azeez and seemed to sap his energy.
However, just when it seemed like Buatsi was on the verge of securing a stoppage, Azeez rallied, digging deep and summoning the reserves of strength and determination that had carried him to that point.
A moment of confusion came after the eighth round with Azeez’s team throwing a towel onto the canvas to clean up the sweat that saw their man slip towards the end of the round.
Some questioned whether his team were pulling their man out of the contest but the panicked voices around the ring set the record straight.
McGirt continued to be vocal, screaming for Azeez to go forward and close the gap as Buatsi forced him to fight the majority of the ninth round on the back foot.
The former Olympian grew in confidence as the fight wore on, piling the pressure on Azeez
Azeez was twice dropped to the canvas in the penultimate round, with the latter seeming to be a slip
After 12 hard-fought rounds and Buatsi ruled the victor, the pair reconciled inside the ring
As the championship rounds approached, the sweat continued to pour off the two men – soaking the canvas.
Azeez hit the canvas twice in the 11th round. The first appeared to be a knockdown but the second, from ringside, looked like a slip.
In the end, it was Buatsi who emerged victorious, his superior skill and conditioning proving to be the difference in a hard-fought battle.
But in a display of true sportsmanship, Buatsi and Azeez embraced in the center of the ring, their friendship intact despite the fierce competition they had just engaged in.
As the crowd erupted in applause, Buatsi and Azeez praised each other in a show of mutual respect, proving that even in the brutal world of professional boxing, friendship and sportsmanship still have a place.