WBA #2, IBF #3, WBC #12, WBO #14 light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his WBA International title with a seventh round TKO against previously undefeated Marko Calic (11-1, 6 KOs) on Sunday night at the Marshall Arena at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England. 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Buatsi, a 40:1 favorite, had more trouble than expected against Calic, who connected repeatedly with right hands. With his left eye almost closed, Buatsi started to connect with big shots in rounds six and seven. He was credited with a knockdown in round seven (more of a pushdown). Moments later, Calic’s corner waved the towel. Time 2:09. Calic may have suffered a broken jaw.
In a clash for the vacant WBC female super lightweight crown, Chantelle Cameron (13-0, 7 KOs) outboxed Adriana Dos Santos Araujo (6-1, 1 KO) over ten rounds. One-sided fight. 100-90 3x. Araujo weighed in 5+ pounds heavy, but Cameron chose to give up the weight. It was a good decision.
“The Savage” Alen Babic (5-0, 5 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Niall Kennedy (13-2-1, 8 KOs). Kennedy down in rounds two and three before the bout was waved off by the referee.
English middleweight titleholder Linus Udofia (16-0, 8 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO over John Harding Jr (8-2-1, 2 KOs).
Buatsi looked pretty awful. I think this year is affecting everyone differently.
Buatsi just didn’t let his hands go in the early rounds but finally got started mid-fight and began landing body punches. It seems that when he is under fire, he just doesn’t punch back. He had Calic within punching range but was just too passive in the early rounds. Buatsi has a lot to learn and needs to get more experience with a wide variety of fighters. I wouldn’t put him in with any of the contenders at this point.
Babic looked sluggish throwing wild punches and falling off-balance when he missed, which he often did. I just don’t see him as a real contender, but he is entertaining to watch.
The most impressive fighter of the night was Chantelle Cameron. She boxed beautifully all night and never allowed Arujo to land more than one punch at a time. Arujo was heavy handed but extremely slow. She was durable and took everything Cameron landed without suffering any distress. She was just outmatched and Cameron goes on to bigger matches in the future.
Buatsi looked very vulnreable.
He’s not ready for Bivol.