Philippines, 28 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez: Local Derby Bragging Rights


PhilBoxing.com





The battle for bragging rights in London goes down this Saturday afternoon in the United States streaming live on Peacock and on Sky Sports across the pond. Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez have shared the ring while sparring but this time the stakes are much higher. Can Joshua Buatsi get his career pointed back in the right direction? Can Dan Azeez pull off an upset that no one would’ve seen coming just a few years ago? One thing is for sure Wembley Arena will be full of pride cheering on this local derby.

Compared to Azeez, Joshua Buatsi had a lot more hype turning professional, coming off a bronze medal performance in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Not only does Buatsi have the amateur pedigree, in the pro ranks he has far more experience than his opponent on Saturday. Buatsi got those important rounds to develop versus solid foes like Ricards Bolontniks and especially Craig Richards. At the moment, Buatsi’s career is stuck in neutral having fought just one time in 2022 and 2023. Inactivity could catch up to him versus a guy like Azeez, who will be gunning for him the whole 12-rounds.

Although Dan Azeez turned pro in 2017 the same year as Joshua Buatsi, it was more of a grind to get to this point. Dan fought on small room shows making scraps for pay all with one goal in mind. Azeez isn’t nearly as technical as Buatsi, yet slowly but surely he’s managed to round into form. An old Rocky Fielding is the best name on Dan’s resume. Although Azeez hasn’t faced much in the way of quality boxers, he’s gotten a fair amount of rounds under his belt. Twice he’s been 10-rounds and twice the 12-round distance, which is important if this main event gets to the late frames.

For Joshua it all starts with his stellar jab, discipline, and good punching power. Buatsi is the more talented and fundamental boxer. He has a great right hand but his overall punch volume needs to increase a bit in this matchup. We should know early on if the rust factor from being inactive will be an issue. Look for Buatsi to fight at range in the early goings, and possibly all the way outside depending how much pressure Azeez applies.

Dan Azeez has an underrated jab and a compact guard as he makes his way on the inside. His best punch is an overhand right and he’s a very good body puncher. Dan will have to cut the ring off. Closing the distance is a must so as to not be at the end of Buatsi’s punches. The biggest question for Azeez, will he be able to get past Buatsi’s length and accurate jab. If he can cut the distance and let loose with punches to the head and body, he can make this a long night for his fellow Londoner. If you’re leaning towards Azeez you can find him around +300 in the underdog role.

My Official Prediction is Joshua Buatsi by Unanimous Decision.

PODCAST LINKS: http://tobtr.com/12310381 or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rope-a-dope-radio-podcast/id514483886

Side Note: Connor Benn makes his return fighting in America strangely in the afternoon for the UK DAZN audience.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Vayson vies for WBA/WBO titles
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Mexican "The Rock" Zamora, three-time female world champion with 20 world championship fights, retires
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • “I’M ONLY GETTING BETTER”: CONFIDENT PAT McCORMACK PLOTS HUGE HOMECOMING WIN OVER MIGUEL PARRA TO SPARK WORLD TITLE CHARGE
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Heart of a Lion: 'Lucky Boy' Reymark Alicaba Earns Praise Despite Loss by Points in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Looks to be the First Fighter to Stop Dylan Carlson
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Shawn Darling Inducted into New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Arca wins 13th Mindanao Open chessfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Carzano rules FIDE-Rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Pythons-Primo wins 5 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes in Kadayawan judo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Crawford to Be Stripped of WBA Title Once He Climb the Ring to Fight Canelo
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Sebastian Juarez Remains Undefeated with Captivating 4th Round TKO Over Louis Hernandez
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Jajaira Gonzalez Prepared to Meet the Moment at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • 2 Division & Former Unified World Champion Juan Francisco Estrada Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 AUGUST 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Magpily rules PH National Women's Elimination - Luzon Leg
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Carlos De Leon Shines with 2nd Round TKO, Remains Undefeated on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 14
    , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • GM Daniel Quizon Wins 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Touchmove Open Invitational Rapid Chess Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Good Luck, Lucky Boy Reymark Alicaba!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Released
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Mapua EE wins Bowling B Championship, IM Datu leads Mapua Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.