Dan Azeez: My previous fights as the underdog will give me the edge against Joshua Buatsi
Dan Azeez believes his experience fighting and winning as an underdog will give him the edge over his friend and training partner Joshua Buatsi in their world title eliminator fight.
The south Londoners are set to clash in a blockbuster light heavyweight fight at the O2 on Saturday October 21, live on Sky Sports, with neither fighter having a professional defeat under their belt.
Azeez, however, feels he has the advantage over Buatsi as they face off in a “real 50/50 fight”, having beaten fighters who were “probably better technically”.
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Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez faced off in the Sky Sports News studio and shared their predictions for fight night on October 21.
When asked if he was worried about losing his unbeaten record, Azeez explained “there are other ways to lose in life.”
“In training, there are so many ways to lose that you just have to learn from defeats to improve.
“I don’t care if I have an L on my record, otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted the fight.
“It could go either way, so it’s about putting everything together and doing whatever it takes to get the win.
“This isn’t my first 50/50 I’ve been in – there have been many fights where, on paper, they were 50/50 and this isn’t the first time I’ve found myself there with someone who is probably technically better than me. – I always found a way to win.
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Dan Azeez says he will prove his doubters wrong again in his fight against Joshua Buatsi
“I don’t think he’s been in that situation where he’s ever been the underdog – every fight he’s been a favorite, so I’m used to being in that situation and always coming out on top.”
As for whether his experience fighting as an underdog gives him the edge over Buatsi, the 34-year-old replied: “yes, that’s always the case.”
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Joshua Buatsi says even though he is friends with Dan Azeez, emotions will be put aside for their fight
“It gives you that drive.
“When people don’t believe you can do something, it’s not so much about proving them wrong, but about proving me right.
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In the upcoming episode “Gloves Are Off”, Dan Azeez suggests that Joshua Buatsi doesn’t like being a pressure fighter.
“You know what it’s like to be in uncomfortable situations.
“I can see him going the distance – any outcome, I wouldn’t be surprised – but the main outcome I’m focused on is me being the winner.”
Watch Joshua Buatsi take on Dan Azeez at the O2 Arena live on Sky Sports on Saturday October 21.