Nick Peet: Azeez vs Buatsi

“CHAMPIONS are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” – Muhammad Ali.

‘The Greatest’ said so many quotable and inspirational things during his lifetime there is practically one for ever fight night of the year. But this one really epitomises Saturday’s domestic dust-up at Wembley Arena.

Former teammates turn adversaries – for one night, at least – when 17-0 Joshua Buatsi challenges 20-0 Dan Azeez in a British and Commonwealth title double that’s got boxing divided.

JUST BUSINESS

Buatsi, 30, has enjoyed all the trappings an Olympic medal can bring. After his bronze in Rio in 2016 he emerged as the marquee singing for promoters with his electric style, charming persona and stable character.

In just over two years he rocketed to 12 straight wins, largely on Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew undercards at the UK’s biggest boxing venues.

With 10 knockouts to boot, Buatsi ended 2019 as one of the hottest prospects in world boxing, never mind the UK.

But then the wheels came off. The Covid pandemic, inactivity, an inability to work with his esteemed trainer Virgil Hunter in the US preceded a split from his promoter that’s led to Buatsi becoming boxing’s forgotten man.

He’s had just five fights in the last four-plus years. And, whilst he’s remained undefeated, his most credible victory is over one of only two domestic opponents, outscoring Craig Richards in 2022.

JOSHUA BUATSI 🆚 DAN AZEEZ – THE TALE OF THE TAPE 🥊

Who've you got? 👀#BuatsiAzeez | #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/ahfOu1sH0u

— IFL TV (@IFLTV) January 29, 2024

SUPER DAN

Whilst Buatsi was off representing his country and signing million-pound promotional deals, Azzez, now 34, was struggling to get further than the Southern ABA finals and jugging a degree at Essex University.

When he turned pro, five months after Josh, he did so on an off-TV card at Brentwood Leisure Centre in front of a couple of dozen people. Nobody cared.

Two years later he captured the Southern Area title, a year after that the English, and in 2021 he stopped Hosea Burton in seven rounds to claim the British light-heavyweight belt.

With every performance, Azeez’s popularity grew. Slowly, the Marvin Hagler small hall tribute became every fight pundits’ new favourite fighter.

A couple of high-profile domestic title defences followed, including halting Liverpool’s former champion Rocky Fielding in eight rounds in 2022, but Azeez capped it all last March in Paris.

Azeez battered Frenchman Thomas Faure for the best part of 12 rounds, yet refused to leave it in the hands of the judges and secured a show-stopper final round TKO to claim the European title.

WILL OR SKILL?

Buatsi is technically proficient, wastes very little and is a spiteful, accurate puncher. But after allowing his career to all but peter out, his desire has come into question. All skill, no will?

On the flip side, Azeez is a marvellous over achiever. He’s emerged from Buatsi’s shadow to absolutely surpass his friend in the paid ranks. All will, evolving skill.

If form were the only guide, Azeez would be a clear favourite. But boxing is a mental game and the ultimate decider is how Azeez views his friend at this stage in their lives.

If there is even an ounce of adulation in Azeez’s psyche then he’s handing all his power over to Buatsi before the opening bell.

Azeez is the defending champion and he must approach this fight like every other; setting the pace, firing in heavy shots to head and body and showing no remorse.

Don’t get me wrong, Buatsi can bite down and let the shots fly as gamely as anybody in this exciting 175lb domestic mash-up. And easily his toughest test to date comes against a friend he knows all too well.

But mentality is paramount. And will beats skill when skill doesn’t have the will.

TIP: Azeez on Points

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