One of Eddie Hearn's renowned British light heavyweight clients continues to receive his support. In a recent interview, the head of Matchroom expressed his "want" for London's Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs) to challenge Russian WBA champion Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) in the spring.
“I would like him to fight Joshua Buatsi, ok? If he beats Joshua Buatsi, [Bivol] will fight Canelo Alvarez. If Joshua Buatsi wins, he will probably fight Canelo Alvarez. But that is the way the light heavyweights are playing out,” Eddie Hearn told iFL TV.
Last year, Hearn was pressing for a Bivol-Buatsi fight too, but the WBA overruled him, deciding that Gilberto Ramirez, who was Bivol's then-mandatory opponent, deserved to face the Russian. All in all, Ramirez was brutally defeated by Bivol over 12 rounds in November 2022 in Abu Dhabi.
Bivol’s potential opponent, Buatsi, long regarded as one of Britain's best prospects, faced countryman Craig Richards in a competitive fight in May 2022. He prevailed on the cards in a close decision.
Image Credit: Sky Sports