Joshua Buatsi cleared the way in which for a global light-heavyweight name shot after claiming a issues win over Craig Richards on the O2 Enviornment in London.
Buatsi, an Olympic bronze medallist in Rio in 2016, ruled the early phases then fended off a large comeback via Richards to say a 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 unanimous verdict.
His win in a bout promoted as a WBA name eliminator must land him a shot at Dmitry Bivol, who retained the belt in a surprising disappointed over Saul Alvarez previous this month.
Buatsi is congratulated via Richards after the struggle
Bivol’s win over Alvarez had served to boost the popularity of Richards, the 32-year-old who suffered his 2d profession defeat on issues to Bivol remaining 12 months.
However the sturdy and correct Buatsi seized the benefit from the beginning and it took Richards till the 5th spherical to actually start to make any roughly influence.
Buatsi catches Richards with a left
Buatsi was once sturdy and correct however tended to seek out good fortune in bursts, and Richards got here on sturdy within the 8th spherical with a large proper hand adopted via a flurry that gave the impression to hassle the favorite.
Richards landed extra rights within the 9th, however Buatsi persevered to show the cleaner paintings, and the pair persevered to switch onerous blows in a thrilling finale prior to Buatsi’s arm was once sooner or later raised.
