Light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Craig Richards faced off at the kickoff press conference ahead of their huge domestic showdown on May 21 in London, shown live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia, as usual).
Joshua Buatsi: “I wouldn’t dub it as the hardest test, for me, it’s just the most important fight in my career right now. It’s the next fight, the fight I must win, last time with Bolotniks but this time it’s Spider. I’ll prepared as diligently as I do, come May 21 I’ll be ready…I think that [Canelo] makes this a big fight for me, makes it even more important. I know what is at stake, what the reward is and that’s what I said when I was in Arizona. I’ll fight these guys as long as I know what’s next. This may lead to a world title fight next so for me, I’m easy, no matter who it is I’m prepared.
Craig Richards: “I think I’ve got the capabilities to win in any way, the most important thing is to prepare all-round the board. I’ve got to be prepared for everything, at this level you can’t just say I’m going to win it by a jab or closing him down. You’ve got prepare for Plan A, B, C or D, you might have to get rough and ready or box and be clever. It all depends on the night, you’ve just got to make sure you’ve prepared, have all your game plans and be fit, ready and strong. On the night just make it happen, listen to your team most importantly and execute what you need to win the fight.”
This is a pretty good fight. Buatsi is 29, he’s in his prime right now, it’s time to for him to make a move and Richards probably gave Bivol the best competition that he’s had in his entire career.