'I showed I could do it' - Joshua Buatsi embraces championship rounds against Ricards Bolotniks

The 31-year-old Latvian was a doughty opponent but ultimately could not withstand the punishment from the 28-year-old Briton.

Speaking after the fight, Butasi explained that Bolotniks' questioning of his endurance had motivated him.

“He pushed me,” he told DAZN.

“I think he said, ‘Joshua hasn’t been past seven before, so after seven we’ll see.’

“And I was there ‘til 11 and landed a good shot. I worked every round, but I want to congratulate him, he was a good champion.

“When I sat down I said, ‘Buatsi, who told you to empty the tank? We’ve got about six left.’”

However Buatsi said that he had been sparring extensively to prepare for the second half of the fight.

“But I’ve worked hard - sparring is hard, man,” he began.

“Big props to my sparring partners, they know who they are, they pushed me every round. I did a hard six rounds.”

“Into the second half I said, ‘I’ve been here, I’ve done it before many times in camp.’

“I’ve got a great team, I know I’ve got to go out there and box. I’ve got a great team and promoter who believes in me. He pushed for fights like this because he knew I could do it. Tonight I went out and showed I could do it.”