JoshuaBuatsi
Olympic Bronze Medallist
Joshua Buatsi is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and recognised as one of the leading contenders in the current world light heavyweight division.
As an amateur, he also twice won gold at the Senior English National Championships in 2014-15 and secured bronze at the 2015 European Championships.
He made his professional debut, to considerable fanfare, in July 2017 at London’s o2 Arena, winning via a 2nd round KO.
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WINS
19
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LOSES
1
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DRAW
0
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kOs
13
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WEIGHT
175 lbs
(79 Kg) -
HEIGHT
6’2”
(188 cm) -
REACH
74”
(189 cm)
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Trainer
Terry Smith
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Born
14 March 1993
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Born in
Accra, Ghana
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nation
British
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residence
London, UK
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KO Percentage
68.42%
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Stance
Orthodox
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Rounds
123
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Debut
1 July 2017
Major Achievements
A further British showdown came in February 2024 when Buatsi and the British and European champion Dan Azeez were forced to put their strong friendship to one side and go into battle at Wembley Arena.
Buatsi ultimately proved too strong for the in-form Azeez and he eased to a wide points verdict, meaning Buatsi became a two-time British champion.
Another British challenge was placed in front of Buatsi at Wembley Stadium in September 2024 when he fought Willy Hutchinson for the WBO Interim world title.
Hutchinson was on a hot streak and was holder of the WBC Silver title, having defeated Craig Richards. He was floored twice by Buatsi at Wembley as the Londoner established control and got the decision after 12
rounds.
Following a ‘fight of the year’ contender, Buatsi lost his title and his unbeaten record in February when he was outpointed by Liverpool’s
former unified super middleweight world champion Callum Smith in Riyadh.
Achievements
In Just his seventh fight in the professional ranks, Buatsi was thrust into title action and ultimately made short work of his first championship assignment. The vacant WBA International title went home with Buatsi following a fourth round stoppage of Andrejs Pokumeiko at the o2.
The WBA International was a title he defended on a remarkable six occasions, defeating names such as Marco Antonio Periban and Ryan Ford along the way.
In the middle of his WBA defences, Buatsi also became British champion with a resounding third round stoppage of Liam Conroy.
A second British showdown, without the title at stake, came against London rival Craig Richards in May 2022. Buatsi prevailed via unanimous decision.
Fighting Style and technique
Buatsi is a classic, almost textbook, boxer, with a crowd-pleasing style and no shortage of power. His footwork and movement is key to his success and perhaps his greatest strength is his concentration, meaning that he rarely gets sloppy and leaves himself open to meaningful counters.
Against Smith in February, Buatsi proved beyond all question that he possesses the heart for the battle. Even when the fight was going against him, he remained dangerous and was always in the fight.
Cultural Influence and Public Persona
Buatsi is viewed as a studious individual, not given to emotional outbursts or trash talking. He is all business.
He graduated with a 2:1 degree in Management and Sports Science from St Mary’s University, with his studies being combined with his amateur career.
Tellingly, during fight preparations, Buatsi becomes an unshaven individual, not interfering with nature before, on fight night, he turns up smartly clean shaven ready for his work assignment.
Fighting History
Loss
12 Round UD
Callum Smith
The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WBO Interim World Light Heavyweight Championship
22 Feb 2025
win
12 Round SD
Willy Hutchinson
Wembley Stadium, London, UK
WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Championship
21 Sep 2024
win
12 Round UD
Dan Azeez
Wembley Arena, London, UK
British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Championship
3 Feb 2024
win
10 Round UD
Pawel Stepien
bp pulse LIVE Arena, Birmingham, UK
6 may 2023
win
12 Round UD
Craig Richards
O2 Arena, London, UK
21 May 2022
win
11 Round TKO
Ricards Bolotniks
Matchroom HQ Garden, Brentwood, UK
14 Aug 2021
win
4 Round TKO
Daniel Blenda Dos Santos
Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK
15 May 2021
win
7 Round TKO
Marko Calic
Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, UK
4 Oct 2020
win
7 Round KO
Ryan Ford
O2 Arena, London, UK
31 Aug 2019
win
4 Round TKO
Marco Antonio Periban
Madison square Garden, New York, UK
1 Jun 2019
win
3 Round TKO
Liam Conroy
Copper Box Arena, London, UK
British Light Heavyweight Championship
23 Mar 2019
win
1 Round TKO
Renold Quinlan
02 Arena, London, UK
22 Dec 2018
win
1 Round TKO
Tony Averlant
Newcastle Arena, Newcastle, UK
13 Oct 2018
win
1 Round TKO
Andrejs Pokumeiko
02 Arena, London, UK
28 Jul 2018
win
5 Round TKO
Stephane Cuevas
02 Arena, London, UK
5 May 2018
win
6 Round PTS
Bartlomiej Grafka
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, UK
31 Mar 2018
win
2 Round TKO
Jordan Joseph
02 Arena, London, UK
3 Feb 2018
win
6 Round PTS
Saidou Sall
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, UK
28 Oct 2018
win
5 Round TKO
Baptiste Castegnaro
York Hall, London, UK
1 Sep 2017
win
2 Round TKO
Carlos Mena
O2 Arena, London, UK
1 Jul 2017
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