Light heavyweight contender Dan Azeez has confirmed that he a signed contract for a domestic showdown with fellow unbeaten Joshua Buatsi.
Back in March, Azeez (19-0, 13 KOs) captured the EBU title with a TKO win over Thomas Faure in Paris.
Azeez has now vacated the title and wants to move forward with his world aspirations.
“I’ve signed to fight Joshua Buatsi in a south London dust-up,” Azeez said to Sky Sports. “We’ve done plenty of rounds together [in sparring] and I’m sure there are times when the switch has been turned on, so I’m sure it won’t be much of a difference in a real fight.
“We’re both undefeated, it’s an all-south London dust-up and we want to see who’s really and truly No 1.”
After going through some promotional and managerial issues, Buatsi (17-0, 13 KOs) finally returned to the ring in March, with a ten round unanimous decision over Pawel Stepien. It was Buatsi’s first bout in over a year.
Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom, who promotes both boxers, had previously stated that Azeez and Buatsi were going to collide in the ring.
There were rumors that Azeez was a frontrunner to face WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol. Shalom denied those rumors, stating to reporters that Azeez vs. Buatsi was going to happen next.
“This is one of the biggest fights in British boxing,” Shalom said. “Fair play to both men for taking it. It’s a fight that we’re hugely excited about and one I know the fans are going to get behind.
“Two of the most exciting talents in a red-hot light-heavyweight division. They’ve trained together, they’ve sparred together, they know each other well and that’s what’s going to make this such a fascinating contest. We look forward to announcing further details, including the date and venue, very soon.”