Dan Azeez Willing To Fight Friend Joshua Buatsi For World Title Shot
Friendships are secondary when a world title is potentially at stake. There are instances when two mates compete within the same division, but circumstances force them to cross paths and battle one another. That could soon be the case for British light heavyweights Dan Azeez (18-0, 12 KOs) and Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs).
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO
Currently, the WBA has Buatsi ranked first and Azeez second at light heavyweight. Azeez is coming off an eight-round stoppage over Rocky Fielding on December 17. During an interview with media source, Seconds Out, Azeez was asked about a possible showdown fight with one of his better friends in the sport.
“At the end of the day, we’re here for legacy. We’re here to prove we’re the best. So, it’s not something that it can’t be written off.
“He’s one, and I’m number two, and that’s wicked. We both come up together […] I wouldn’t eliminate that at all.”
WBA champion Dmitry Bivol’s next fight could be a rematch against reigning undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in mid-2023. The sanctioning body could order a final eliminator between Azeez and Buatsi.
The two have sparred many rounds together. Azeez disclosed that Buatsi was one of his sparring mates for the match with Fielding. However, were the WBA to order them to fight, their “buddy-buddy” relationship would have to be put aside.
HISTORY OF FRIENDS FIGHTING FRIENDS
It would not be the first time friends have gone to war in a high-stakes contest. Then-IBF welterweight champion Simon Brown and then-WBC 147-pound champ Maurice Blocker were best friends when they battled it out in a unification in March 1991. Brown ended up winning by a tenth-round stoppage. When the ref stopped the fight, an emotional Brown immediately sought out his pal and consoled him.
Buatsi’s promoter Eddie Hearn has gone on record to suggest that he is interested in his fighter engaging in an elimination contest early next year. Could that be with Azeez? This is something worth keeping an eye on.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
