Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez trade barbs as undefeated British light-heavyweight contenders and former sparring partners prepare to face off for a shot at pound-for-pound great Dmitry Bivol

Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez’s friendship was quickly put to rest on Monday afternoon as the undefeated pair bickered over who called for their all-British light-heavyweight clash.

Once South London friends now turned rivals, Buatsi and Azeez will be beating each other’s horns at the O2 Arena on October 21 in a gripping match that will see a final elimination of the title from WBA champion Dmitry Bivol, who earned serious credit as one of the best pounds-for-pound fighters when he outsmarted Canelo Alvarez last year.

Sky Sports and BOXXER were quick to reassure fans that this wouldn’t turn into an ugly ‘table-flipping’ affair between two former sparring partners, but some tension bubbled under the surface when Azeez claimed former Matchroom star Buatsi’ asked for the fight. ‘.

‘Did I ask for Dan? No, when I came to Sky I said “Dan is my man so give me someone else”. After my second fight I said I want to fight right away in August, but I said I would fight Dan if the stakes are high.

“They said it could be a final eliminator for the WBA. I’m not going to say no to that, Dan isn’t going to say no to that, so it makes sense. The story he has that I keep asking I don’t care.

But former British light heavyweight champion Buatsi insisted meeting his former sparring partner is necessary to get him to a world title.

Azeez risked Buatsi’s wrath by replying, “I don’t want you to be ashamed to say you asked for me.”

“I didn’t ask for you,” Buatsi hit back. “I asked for a final eliminator and I got a final eliminator, so let’s continue with that.

“There is always something to prove. Whenever I enter boxing grounds, I find that it’s pretty much about the winner. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter. At the Olympics, people just look at it, ‘that person won gold, that person won silver, and that person won bronze’. Just win. So as long as I win, that’s all that matters.

“Dance a friend of mine, but what’s at stake allows me to put that aside. Of course we’re here to fight for world titles and this brings me one step closer, so right now it’s the most important fight of my life.

Azeez, who has experienced incredible growth in the sport from an economics student at Essex University to a fighter now competing for a world title, interrupted Buatsi and goaded him again. He reminded him that the question was “why is this fight happening now” rather than “why is this fight important.”

‘Why is it happening? Because you are the man I have to go through,’ Buatsi said. “It’s a final eliminator, so it must be you Dan.

Buatsi was asked about comments he made during their Gloves Are Off where he called Azeez “a soft touch” but refused to double down.

“The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter. Whether I think he’s a soft touch or not, we’re going to find out on October 21. He’s on the other side of the ring and I know what’s going to happen.’

In response to Buatsi’s previous claims that he was a ‘step below’ him, Azeez sacked him and mocked his progress since winning the British lightweight title in 2019.

“That’s all fun and games – he won the British title three years ago, and then?” Azez said. “I now have the British title. Not only did I win it and bounce, I stood there and defended it. I haven’t had easy touches, I’ve done my thing too.

Current title holder Azeez wondered why Buatsi failed to defend the title after winning it in 2019

The winner in October will take on Dmitry Bivol, the pound-for-pound great famed for his victory over Canelo Alvarez last year

“Buatsi is an Olympian and an elite fighter and we are going to give you a great fight. I need my hand and I am sure he will say raise his hand and we will not stop until our goals are achieved.”

Dereck Chisora, Azeez, channeling his inner self, surprised the media – and Buatsi himself – by walking into Glazier’s Hall wearing a hat that reads “WAR” across the front.

“I’m at war with everything,” he insisted. War with myself to improve and overcome the obstacles I need to succeed, war with the doubters who think I can’t. At war with a friend who stands for my dreams and aspirations. It’s just war.’

Buatsi added: “I was calm this morning and then Dan came in with ‘war’ on his hat. I said to myself, “Blimey Josh, wake up the fuck”. I am aware that October 21 is going to be war and you will all witness it.’