Latest news with #JoshuaBuatsi
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'They will back me properly in UK'
Joshua Buatsi has signed a promotional deal with Queensberry 32-year-old last fought in February when he suffered the first defeat of his pro career to Callum was signed to Ben Shalom's Boxxer, but has now decided to move to Frank Warren's promotional outfit."After speaking with multiple promoters, Queensberry has a plan I'm comfortable with," said Buatsi. "I'm a British fighter, and the support I get from UK fans means everything."There's nothing like fighting in front of a home crowd - the energy, the passion, it drives me. With Queensberry, I've got a team that understands that and backs me properly here in the UK."Boxxer are reportedly set to part ways with broadcast giant Sky Sports and it is unclear on which platform the promotional outfit will land his loss to Smith, Buatsi is still considered one of the best light-heavyweights in Great Britain with 19 wins on his record. The Londoner won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Warren says Buatsi is still right in the mix for a world title also promotes Anthony Yarde, who Buatsi has been linked with fighting since making his professional debut in is set to contest David Benavidez for the WBC world title on 22 November in Saudi Arabia."Josh will be a natural candidate to take on the winner," Warren with Queensberry means Buatsi has partnered with every one of the major promotional companies in the UK, having began his pro career with Matchroom.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Callum Smith denied world title shot at Dmitry Bivol by WBO
British light heavyweight Callum Smith will have to wait for his shot at the WBO world title, despite his status as a mandatory challenger. Liverpudlian Smith earned his status as a mandatory fight for current WBO belt holder Dmitry Bivol after defeating Joshua Buatsi in February to become the organisation's interim champion at light heavyweight. Bivol became undisputed champion at 175 pounds when he defeated Artur Beterbiev in a rematch, setting up the possibility of a rubber match between the two greats of the light heavyweight division. Watch over 150 boxing events a year live on DAZN - subscribe now A third fight has been pursued by Bivol and Beterbiev, with the WBO agreeing that Bivol does not need to defend his title against Smith in order to allow the trilogy match to be made. Smith had made a formal request to the WBO to enforce his mandatory status. Taking to Twitter, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri shared: 'The WBO Championships Committee has resolved that it is in the best interests of boxing and, most importantly, the fighters themselves to permit the highly anticipated Beterbiev/Bivol Trilogy to proceed as planned. Accordingly, this decision overrides the enforcement of the WBO mandatory obligation in the Light Heavyweight Division.' The WBO also stated that they were in no position to enforce the obligation, as they were behind the IBF in the rotation for mandatory challengers. That is in stark contrast to the WBC, who stripped Bivol of his title after he chose to pursue a trilogy fight with Beterbiev over facing David Benavidez. Olivieri explained: 'Furthermore, even under the assumption that the WBO mandatory is due, the established rotation system agreement among the recognised sanctioning bodies dictates that the IBF mandatory is next in line. The WBO will respect and adhere to such order, ensuring alignment with the agreed rotational framework. As a result, Interim Champion Callum Smith will retain his status as the WBO mandatory challenger and, in the interim, is authorised to participate in voluntary bouts.' Whilst the IBF has not enforced its mandatory status since 2021, the WBO believes it is in the best interests of the sport to allow a third match between Bivol and Beterbiev to go ahead. The WBO president continued: 'This ruling underscores the exceptional significance of the Beterbiev/Bivol trilogy, a bout widely regarded as one of the most compelling matchups in contemporary boxing between two of the sport's elite competitors.' Smith is now searching for an opponent, with reports that talks have begun with fellow Briton Anthony Yarde for a bout in August. However, no deal has yet been reached. Olivieri went on to confirm that if Yarde was to be victorious over Smith, then he would become the new interim champion, and as such, the mandatory challenger for the WBO light heavyweight title.
