Boxing
'He's ready now' - Eddie Hearn plans Dmitry Bivol title fight for Joshua Buatsi
Watch Buatsi vs. Ricards highlights on DAZN
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn wants Dmitry Bivol to face Joshua Buatsi at the O2 Arena for a 2022 world title fight.
Hearn was speaking after Buatsi headlined the Fight Camp 3 finale in Brentwood where he knocked out Ricards Bolotniks in dominant fashion.
He now believes that the 28-year-old is on course for a title fight in the next year, with one more fight in preparation to come.
“Possibly America next,” Hearn said on DAZN.
“He definitely needs some time off - he sacrificed a lot in camp. I’m thinking December. I think we know we work with Dmitry Bivol, Joe Smith, we've got Beterbiev, there’s no easy route to a world championship at 175lbs and quite frankly, there shouldn’t be. But you know if you win a championship in this division, you’ve done it the hard way.
“For me, because of the way things will work for Bivol’s next defence, Joe Smith, Beterbiev, I see him having one more fight, stateside, November-December, then that is it.”
Hearn then sketched out a plan for a route to a title.
“We’ll see if Bivol holds onto his championship in his next fight,” he said.
“Joshua Buatsi vs Dmitry Bivol at the O2, that’s the kind of fight that can make him a real star.
“I feel like he’s ready now but I do see him having one more runout in December, then all systems go for a world championship.
“I believe that Britain has another world champion right here.”
