Joshua Buatsi continues to fight in a nearly empty venue on his much anticipated return as tons of supporters walk away from Pawal Stepien clash early… with social media labeling it a ‘BORE FEST’ as they slam controversial scorecard
- There were tons of empty seats for Joshua Buatsi’s first fight in 350 days
- Unimpressed supporters left the Birmingham venue in the middle of the fight on Saturday
- Light-heavyweight Buatsi then defeated Pawel Stepien by unanimous decision
Joshua Buatsi’s return to the ring on Saturday night was played to a sparse crowd in Birmingham as supporters left the venue midway through the fight.
The British light heavyweight fought for the first time in almost a year when he took on Poland’s Pawel Stepien for his first outing under new promoter Boxxer.
But fans were not impressed, as many in attendance at the nearly 16,000-seat venue decided to leave early as Buatsi competed in the ring.
A video posted on social media shows fans leaving their seats and walking down the stairs to the various exits as the small atmosphere in the venue was extinguished.
Boxing fans from different parts of the indoor stadium decided they would rather beat the traffic than watch the 30-year-old improve his undefeated record.
British boxer Joshua Buatsi returned to the ring on Saturday after a 350-day absence
Buatsi (right) failed to impress as he extended his unbeaten record by beating Pawal Stepien
Halfway through Buatsi’s fight, supporters were seen heading for the exit doors
Photos of the aftermath then showed huge gaps in the crowd with empty seats scattered around the outer stands and fans mocking the event on social media afterwards.
Buatsi went on to claim his 17th professional win by unanimous decision against , but some spectators questioned the heavily one-sided scorecards as the home favorite struggled to break his opponent’s defence.
Social media then mocked the poorly attended event with Buatsi headlined an uninspired card winning eight fights.
A message about the event read: “It was brutal – mass evacuation.”
Another uninterested viewer added, “Was there a knockdown in the fight, please let me know.”
Further ridicule ensued, as another stated, “The only ones put to sleep were the ones watching the fight, if the rematch took place in my backyard I’d draw the curtains.”
One comment joked, “Was literally half empty on round 6,” while another added, “Could see the TV audience was light. Very few cheering Buatsi. Ring rust or not, the fight was a boring party.”
After the fight, Buatsi admitted that he does not want to wait another 350 days for his next match.
“In the end it was about the win because if I didn’t have it it would have made my next fight very difficult for me,” said Buatsi. “It was a great performance, but it was good for me to be back there,” he told the BBC.
“Ideally I’d like a stepper and be there in July, maybe August,” Buatsi said. “I’m going to camp soon. I don’t care national or international, I just want a big fight to get my ranking up,” he added.