Vasyl Lomachenko scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Luke Campbell to retain the WBA and WBO and capture the WBC Lightweights at a sold out 02 Arena in London.

Lomachenko hurt Campbell at the enc of round five when he landed a hard left to head that was followed by a perfect left to the body.

In round 11, Lomachenko landed a flurry of punches that was punctuated by a jab that sent Campbell the canvas. Lomachenko sealed the fight when he hurt Campbell in the final round with his patented quick shots that forced Campbell to hold on and eventually throw Lomachenko to be able to survive the round.

Lomachenko of Ukraine won by scores 119-108 twice and 118-109 and is now 14-1. Campbell is 20-3.

Lomachenko outlanded Campbell 207-131.

After a hard-fought battle, this is what Lomachenko, Campbell and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Lomachenko

“Of course I’m happy. I want to say thank you to {everyone} who came to support us. I want to thank everyone who organized this fight. And, of course, I’m happy. Next… {I want to fight for the} IBF {title}. That is my title.”

“In the UK, the fans are the best fans in the world. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, I want to fight {for the IBF title}, but it depends on Bob Arum.”

Arum

“Obviously, we’re looking to win the fourth belt to unify the title. But Loma and {manager} Egis {Klimas} have told me they can’t wait to come back to the UK to fight here again.The English fight fans are the best fans in the world.”

“Luke Campbell didn’t disgrace himself. He fought a hell of a fight. He’s a hell of a fighter. Big, big heart, and Luke will be back.”

“Loma is up there with Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao. He belongs with those fighters.”

“Listen, it doesn’t matter. He will fight anyone at featherweight, super featherweight or lightweight. Only the best. He’s a special, special fighter.”

Luke Campbell

“He just beat me, so he’s very good. He’s a special fighter and we all knew he was a special fighter. This is boxing and we train to win. Obviously, I’m disappointed in myself for not getting the victory.

Former world champion Alexander Povetkin won a 12-round unanimous decision over Hughie Fury in a heavyweight bout.

Povetkin was able to turn up a very dull fight in the 2nd half of the contest.

In round nine, Fury began to bleed from the left eye.

Povetkin of Russia won by scores of 117-111 on all cards and is now 35-2. Fury of Manchester, Eng is 23-3.

Julio Cesar Martinez seemingly won the WBC lyweight title with a shocking 3rd round stoppage over reigning champion Charlie Edwards, but after several minutes the bout was overturned after Martinez landed a late-punch

Martinez landed about 10 unanswered blows that sent Edwards to the canvas. Martinez got in one more hard body shot while Edwards was on the canvas, but the referee ruled a knockdown and the bout was stopped at 1:43.

The bout was ruled a no-contest with an immediate rematch

Martinez of Mexico is 14-1.. Edwards is 15-1.

2016 Olympic Bronze Medal winner, Joshua Buatsi stopped Ryan Ford in round seven of a scheduled 10-round light heavyeight bout.

Buatsi hurt Ford in round seven with a clipping left hook. He followed that up with a flurry that was culminated by a body punch that sent Ford down for the count at 1:07.

Buatsi is now 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Ford of Edmonton, CAN is 16-5.

2016 Olympian Joe Cordina won a 12-round unanimous decision over Gavin Gwynne in a British Lightweight Title bout featuring undefeated fighters.

Cordina of Cardiff, Wales won by scores of 116-110 twice and 116-111 and is now 10-0. Gwynne is 11-1.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweights, Savannah Marshall stopped Daniele Bastieri in round five of their scheduled eight-round bout.

Marshall dominated, and in round five she landed a big right hand that dropped Bastieri at the end of the round five. Bastieri, bloodied, got to her feet the bout was stopped at 2:00.

Marshall is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Bastieri of Brazil is 2-1.

Joshua Buatsi will defend his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Ryan Ford on the undercard of the huge Lightweight World title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell at The O2 in London on August 31, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

Buatsi (11-0, 9 KOs) was last seen taking out Marco Antonio Periban in four rounds on the blockbuster Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr bill at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, marking his big US debut with a ruthless stoppage win in the Big Apple. 

The undefeated Croydon star took a step-up in class against the seasoned Periban and was eager to impress, dropping the Mexican and then finishing the fight with a barrage of punches to earn his sixth successive win inside the distance. 

Ford, a former opponent of Fedor Chudinov and Avni Yildrim, has never been stopped in 20 career fights and the former MMA fighter, hailing from Edmonton in Canada, picked up the WBC International Silver Light-Heavyweight title in his last fight. 

“I’m fighting a tough, durable opponent on August 31 in the form of Ryan Ford,” said Buatsi. “He’s never been stopped in his 20 professional fights and he’s got some good experience against some top names. He’s an ex MMA fighter so he’ll know how to handle himself.

“If I can become the first fighter to stop him then I’ll be very happy. As always, it’s about getting the win at all costs. I’m there to get the job done and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Buatsi vs. Ford is part of a huge night of boxing in the Capital. 

At the top of the bill, Olympic Champions Vasiliy Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) and Luke Campbell (20-2, 16 KOs) will clash for the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World titles, Manchester Heavyweight Hughie Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) takes on former WBA World Champion Alexander Povetkin (34-2, 24 KOs), WBC Flyweight ruler Charlie Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs) makes the second defence of his crown against Mandatory Challenger Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs), Joe Cordina (9-0, 7 KOs) defends his British and Commonwealth Lightweight titles against Gavin Gwynne (11-0, 1 KO) in a mouth-watering battle of Wales and Hartlepool star Savannah Marshall (6-0, 4 KOs) makes her highly-anticipated Matchroom Boxing debut. 

NEW YORK – History and hype. The first was made by Andy Ruiz Jr., the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. The second was exposed in Anthony Joshua, whose reign came crashing down Saturday night in front of UK fans who witnessed their chiseled king get undressed by the most unlikely of challengers.

 Ruiz entered Madison Square Garden, perhaps the world’s biggest stage, looking like he had spent more time at the dessert table than the gym. He jiggled, almost from head to foot. The UK crowd dismissed him. Then, booed. Then, sang God Save The Queen.

 But neither God nor the Queen can save Joshua from the ridicule he heard after he was dropped four times, pulled down like a statue from a pedestal by a short- pudgy stand-in. Ruiz knocked down Joshua four times, finishing him in the seventh when his corner said no mas.

At one level, it was pathetic.

 At another level, it was exhilarating.

 At every level, it was historic. It was the biggest heavyweight upset since Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson on Feb. 11 in 1990.

 “I did this for my people,’’ Ruiz (33-1, 22 KOs) said. “Nobody ever gave me a chance.’’

 You could probably put Douglas and Tyson among those who thought that Ruiz only had a chance to get knocked out. He did get knocked down in the third. But that only seemed to embolden him, unlike Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs), who appeared to be more interested in saying hello to American fans in his U.S. debut.

 Ruiz got up and took the fight to Joshua, who never responded. He waved a jab in front of Ruiz. It looked like the Queen waving her gloved hand at adoring fans from the backseat of her London limo.  Meanwhile, Ruiz knocked down Joshua twice before the third was over. Then came the seventh. Joshua was looking around, seemingly confused and unsure of the speed that powered Ruiz’ hands. The punches came at Joshua like New York cabs racing out of blind corners.

Two more knockdowns in the seventh and suddenly it was over. Joshua’s corner had surrendered. Still, Joshua smiled. But the winning in that smile was gone, at least from the perspective of the once-trusting UK fans. The genuine was gone from the grin. The fans who mocked Ruiz now directed a deeply genuine ire at their fallen hero. They booed and headed toward Joe Louis Plaza, the sidewalk that surrounds the Garden. For them, Joshua could have been just another Bum-of-the-Month that was once part of Louis’ heavyweight reign.

 Does Joshua come back from this? Can he, perhaps in a rematch? Remember all the talk about a showdown with Deontay Wilder? Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn said that the inability to put together Joshua-Wilder was “embarrassing.’’ 

But nothing was more embarrassing than what happened to Joshua in what was supposed to be his hello to a bigger audience.

 For now, it just looks like a goodbye delivered by the fast hands that made history. 

Callum Smith wins in a crushing stoppage

Three rounds. Three knockdowns.

Katie Taylor takes majority decision over Persoon in a women’s all-timer

Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon did what no woman has since Christy Martin. Martin was the original, an acknowledged pioneer of women’s boxing. Taylor and Persoon took it a step further with 10 punishing rounds fora world lightwweight title.

Hands down. it was Josh Kelly in a majority draw

It’s hard to score points with defense. But there’s a price for not practicing defensive fundamentals, and it looks as if UK welterweight Josh Kelly might have paid it on the Joshua-Ruiz undercard. Kelly (9-0-1, 6 KOs) kept his hands at his side in a Roy Jones-like posture for several rounds. Finally he put them up, but it was too late to save him from his first bout without a victory.

UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi wins stoppage 

Joshua Buatsi had the right first name. He had the right style. He had the right opponent. All of the pieces came together for the UK light-heavyweight on a card featured by Anthony Joshua’s American debut against Andy Ruiz Jr. Marco Antonio Periban, of Mexico, was no match for him.

Chris Algieri (24-3, 9 KOs) was left with darkening welts beneath both eyes. He took punishment. But he took more than that. He took Tommy Coyle’s best shots and countered with even more, forcing Coyle’s corner to end it after eight rounds of a hard-fought junior-welterweight bout.

Algieri, of New York,  scored a knockdown in the fourth. He battered Coyle (25-5, 12 KO) around the ring throughout the eighth. Just when it looked as it was over, however, Coyle, of the UK,  delivered a long counter hook. It might have been Coyle’s way of saying he wanted to continue. But his corner had seen enough, saying no mas to the ringside physician and Coyle.

First Bell: Heavyweight Garden Party opens with Cissokho winning unanimous decision

Souleymane Cissokho, a quick powerful and middleweight from France, added the sound of punches to empty echoes at Madison Square, opening a Garden party featuring Anthony Joshua American debut against Andy Ruiz Jr. Saturday.

Seconds after first bell, there was little doubt that Cissokho (9-0, 6 KOs) was a better fighter than Wladimir Hernandez (10-4, 6KOs). Throughout eight rounds, Cissokho scored repeatedly, winning a unanimous decision.

Houston middleweight Austin Williams calls himself Ammo. He didn’t need much of that in a swing bout on the Joshua-Ruiz undercard. Williams (2-0, 2 KO) blew out Quadeer Jenkins (0-2), of Trenton, N.J., within three minutes, scoring a first-round stoppage at 2:14 of the round.  

Joshua Buatsi will fight in America for the first time as a professional when he defends his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban at Madison Square Garden on Saturday June 1, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK. 

Buatsi (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Liam Conroy in three rounds to claim the vacant British 175lbs title last time out at London’s Copper Box Arena, dropping the former English champion twice in the third round to force another impressive early stoppage. 

The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist landed his WBA crown with brutal first round KO of Andrejs Pokumeiko in July last year before defending the title twice against Tony Averlant and Renold Quinlan – both fights ending in explosive first round knockouts. 

Next up for the fast-rising Croydon star is Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban (25-4-1, 16 KOs), a former opponent of former two-weight World Champion Badou Jack, IBF Super-Middleweight king James DeGale and World title challenger Avni Yildrim.  

“I’m excited to be in the United states for the first time,” said Buatsi. “There is so much history here with this venue, the greats have fought here and to be able to say I’ve boxed at Maddison Square Garden this early in my career is an honour. I’ve had a great camp in Miami and I can’t wait to get started and put on a fantastic performance for all the fans.”

“As Britain takes over the Mecca of boxing next week in NY, it’s only right that one of our biggest rising stars gets the chance to shine,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Joshua Buatsi has been sensational since turning professional and next week gets the chance to make his US debut on the biggest stage of all. We expect a tough challenge from Periban who will have big support at the arena from the Mexican fans hoping Andy Ruiz can make history for his country. Periban has mixed in great company and this is the perfect test for Josh as he closes in at shot at the World title. Next week is going to be special in so many ways, I can’t wait!”

Buatsi and Periban clash on a huge night of action at MSG where Anthony Johua’s World title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr. is supported by Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, Callum Smith defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam, Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson and Chris Algieri defending his WBO International title against Britain’s Tommy Coyle in a crunch Super-Lightweight showdown – with more exciting undercard additions announced this week. 

 
Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)
 
Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
 
Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk) Prices start at £1,095. Reserve your seat today.
 
Tickets are priced, $106, $156, $206, $306, $406, $506, $756, $1,006, $1,256 and $2,506 plus applicable booking fees.
 
Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available to purchase by calling 212-465-6034.

Charlie Edwards retained the WBC Flyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Angel Moreno at The Copper Box Arena in London.

Edwards won by scores of 120-107 on all cards and is now 15-1. Moreno is 19-3-2.

Joshua Buatsi remained undefeated by stopping Liam Conroy in round three of a scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout.

In round three, Buatsi landed a big right hook and then a left as Conroy was falling to the canvas. Conroy was hurt, and then ate a huge right hand that put him down for a 2nd time. Conroy was able to beat the count, but the fight was stopped at 1:53.

Buatsi, 173.4 lbs is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Conroy, 173.6 lbs is 16-4-1.

Lewis Ritson won a 10-round unanimous decision pver German Argentino Benitez in a junior welterweight bout.

Benitez was bleeding from his nose in round four.

Ritson, 139.4 lbs of New Castle, UK won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice, and is now 18-1. Benitez, 139.4 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 21-4.

Lawrence Okolie stopped Wadi Camacho in round four of their scheduled 10-round cruiserweight bout.

Okolie dropped Camacho in round four with a three-punch combination. Seconds later, Okolie landed a big shot, and the fight was stopped at 2:00.

Okolie is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Camacho is 21-8.

Croydon Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi has vowed to ruin Liam Conroy’s dream of becoming the first man from Barrow-in-Furness to win the Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday.

Buatsi has won all nine of his fights, seven inside the distance, since turning pro in 2017, while Conroy has spent five years longer in the paid ranks, winning 16 fights and claiming the English title against Joel McIntyre in 2017.

The 26-year-old, an Olympic bronze medalist, won the WBA International 175lbs title against Andrejs Pokumeiko at The O2 last year and is keen to add domestic belts to his collection before targeting World honours.

“It’s something I must add to my cupboard, I’ve got space in there to add another trophy and that’s the next one I’ll be doing,” said Buatsi. “He’s won his last 10, knocked out his last five. This is his dream to become champion and I’ll be there to stop it.

“Most importantly champions that have come out of this country have pretty much gone that same route. They have won the British title before and have gone on to win big things. So for me it’s important to kind of follow that step, just to show that ok ‘he’s conquered Britain’ and then I will look elsewhere.

“It will be World titles after that but it’s for the team to sit down and come up with the best route possible for myself but most importantly it’s all focus for Saturday night to make sure I win that title.”

Buatsi vs. Conroy is part of a huge night of action at the Copper Box Arena.

Main event sees Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.

London Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.

Geordie ace Lewis Ritson makes his debut at 140lbs as he takes on Argentina’s German Argentino Benitez for the WBA Inter-Continental title.

Undefeated Irish Middleweight talent Jason Quigley fights for the first time as a pro in the UK, Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay makes her highly-anticipated professional debut and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.

Liam Conroy wants to put Barrow-in-Furness on the map when he clashes with rising star Joshua Buatsi for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight title on March 23 at London’s Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The former English Champion heads into his showdown with 2016 Olympian Buatsi in the form of his life having stopped his previous five opponents. Despite his impressive run of form, the 26-year-old will enter the ring as a big underdog – a tag that he thrives off.

“Being an underdog makes it much sweeter when I win,” Conroy told MTK Global. “I feel like I’m ‘The Upsetter’ because I feel people always doubt me. This is what me and my team do. Myself and my trainer Johnney Roye come down, travel wherever, upset some people and then we go.

“My fans from Barrow-in-Furness will make some noise on the night. There may not be loads of them with it being so far but they’ll make themselves heard. We’re a proud bunch of people. Everyone thinks of us as being out in the middle of nowhere and there not much being there so I’m glad to be putting Barrow on the map in some way.

“I want to make Barrow proud and stay up there in those big fights as a British Champion. I want to put a British title in my son’s bedroom. This has been my goal since day one. This is a massive fight but I think it’s been a long time coming. I won my British title fight eliminator in 2017 and I’ve just been working relentlessly since.”

Buatsi recorded his third straight first round knockout win when he demolished Renold Quinlan at The O2 in December. Many are already tipping the Croydon talent to become a future World Champion, but Conroy is convinced he will derail the hype train in East London.

“I believe I can overpower him. I don’t believe he’s been in a situation as a professional in which someone can overpower him. I also don’t think he’s been in with anyone who can take what he’s got to give, which I will be able to. He’ll be in for a shock on March 23.

“There’s plenty of hype around him but he deserves it because he trains hard and has already proved himself at the Olympics. I haven’t got the name he’s got but I’m looking to change that come fight night. I’m going to give it everything that I can and keep on going relentlessly till the final bell. I won’t stop until I have that belt.”

Buatsi vs. Conroy is part of a huge night of boxing at the Copper Box Arena.

Main event sees Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.

London Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.

Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay makes her highly-anticipated professional debut.

Lewis Ritson makes his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring after suffering a first career loss to Francesco Patera last October and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.

Charlie Edwards will make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Angel Moreno on a huge night of boxing in the capital at the Copper Box Arena on March 23, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Edwards ripped the famous green belt from Cristofer Rosales on an emotional night at The O2 in London in December, outclassing the Nicaraguan with a masterful display to take a well-earned unanimous decision.

The Croydon man, having lost out in his first bid for World honours against John Riel Casimero in 2016, was overcome with joy after fulfilling his childhood dream, and is excited to begin life as a World Champion against Spain’s Moreno.

“Moreno is a very tough and game fighter,” said Edwards. “He’s a mature man and he doesn’t shy away from any opportunities, he’s going to come to try and steal my title from me. This is a fight that I’m very confident of winning and a fight that I can look really good in. I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring with him, I sparred him ahead of the Casimero fight but I’m a completely different animal now.

“This is only the beginning, this is a new chapter in my career and this is where the real hard work starts. I want to be an active World Champion, I want to be in the ring fighting and getting better and pushing myself. I’m not in this game to take part, I want to be a multi-weight World Champion. I look forward to taking my first steps as a World Champion and defending my belt on March 23.”

Croydon’s fast-rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi takes a significant step up when he takes on the inform Liam Conroy for the vacant British title in just his tenth fight. Buatsi blasted out Renold Quinlan at The O2 in December to bring up his third successive stoppage win inside the opening round, but ‘JB’ expects a tougher night against former English Champion Conroy.

“This is a good benchmark to see where I’m at,” said Buatsi. “My team see me day in day out in the gym and this is the title they feel I’m ready for. Liam has won his last five fights by knockout and he’ll be heading into the fight full of confidence.

“There’s a good title at stake and he knows there’s a big reward if he beats me. For me, it’s a big stepping stone and another box to tick on my way to the top. This is an important fight for my career and I need to get the belt to move on.”

“I believe I can overpower him,” said Conroy. “I don’t believe he’s been in a situation as a professional in which someone can overpower him. I also don’t think he’s been in with anyone who can take what he’s got to give, which I will be able to.

“There’s plenty of hype around him but he deserves it because he trains hard and has already proved himself at the Olympics. I haven’t got the name he’s got but I’m looking to change that come fight night.

Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho finally get it on in an all London affair, with the British and Commonwealth titles on the line. ‘The Sauce’ picked up the Lonsdale belt against Matty Askin at Wembley Stadium and puts his title on the line for the first time against the Canning Town ‘Machoman’.

Lewis Ritson defends his British Lightweight title against ‘The KO Kid’ Andy Townend in a guaranteed barnburner. The Geordie favourite is determined to return to winning ways after suffering the first loss of his career at the hands of Francesco Patera in October.

“This is a great show,” said Eddie Hearn. “A new hero of British boxing defending his World title in Charlie Edwards, with three brilliant British title clashes on the undercard. Everybody resonated with the story of Charlie Edwards after his memorable performance at The O2 in December. He makes his first defence of his title against seasoned pro Angel Moreno.

“Joshua Buatsi fights for the British title against the inform Liam Conroy, which is a significant step up. Lawrence Okolie finally gets the chance to fight Wadi Camacho for the British and Commonwealth titles after the all of the bad blood. Lewis Ritson returns from his disappointing defeat to defend his British title against big-punching Andy Townsend in what will be a brutal shootout, and there’s plenty more to be added to this stacked card.”

Ticket details will be announced soon.

WITH ALL THE talk doing the rounds concerning the explosive British light heavyweights – namely Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi – there is another who feels it is high time he too was added to the conversation.

Lyndon Arthur has amassed a record of 13-0 (10KOs) without too much fanfare to date and tends to be omitted from speculation regarding potential domestic dust-ups. He now wants in on the big fight gossip.

“I’ve been under the radar and it’s been working well while I’ve been learning my craft as a professional,” accepted ‘King Arthur’, a former Team GB standout amateur.

“It is getting to the stage now where we have to start making a bit of noise and have to start letting people know that I am not just a prospect. I am trying to be someone good in this division.

“My pedigree as an amateur was decent and as a pro I am doing quite well with 13 fights and ten knockouts.

“My name should be up there and it will be soon,” he insisted, adding that he would relish encounters with the likes of Yarde and Buatsi sometime soon, once he is up to ten round status.

“Of course, because when two British fighters get thrown in with a bit of needle it always makes for a great fight, so of course I want my name in there.

“If I keep winning and everyone else does then it is inevitable these fights will happen.

“I believe I am on a par with them and I believe with the right fights and a little bit more experience I will be up there. I need to get in a ten round fight because that is the only thing they have got on me now, being in the ten round camps. That is it.

“When I get to that there is no difference.”

Australian hardcase Renold Quinlan has warned Joshua Buatsi that he possesses the power to inflict a first professional defeat on the rising Light-Heavyweight talent.

The pair clash for Buatsi’s WBA International title at The O2 in London this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Showtime in the US, and Quinlan is looking to halt the Croydon talent’s rapid rise in its tracks.

“It’s another big opportunity to fight for a meaningful title, back in the UK,” said Quinlan. “It’s a big challenge and that’s what gets my juices racing. I don’t intend to let the chance slip.

“I tend not to study opponents so I don’t know much about Buatsi. I’ve heard he won an Olympic bronze medal and they don’t give those away so he must be capable.

“But I’ve got my own unique style which I can change up. I guess I’m more of a puncher. I’ve got excellent timing and my record shows I cause serious damage if I catch ‘em clean with my right hand.”

The three blotches on Quinlan’s CV came against credible company. Victoria’s unbeaten Jake Carr edged past him on a close decision in a 2014 Australian Super-Middle scrap and Brighton’s Chris Eubank Jr relieved him of his IBO crown by tenth round decision in his only prior visit to the UK in February last year.

In his first fight at 175lbs last April, Quinlan conceded to Queensland’s 13-1 Damien Hooper in round nine, but only after he had clubbed the 2012 London Olympic quarter-finalist to the canvas twice in round five.

“I’ve learnt a lot from those defeats,” said Quinlan. “I felt I was a bit unlucky with the decision against Carr. It was very close but he has a very high work rate and was the defending champion. I was going through a lot mentally, outside the ring at the time.

“The late stoppage defeat to Eubank taught me what elite athletes need to do to succeed. Physically I was right but I wasn’t mentally focussed. I was on a fast food diet and just tried to run the weight off.

“My loss to Hooper was another learning step. I guarantee I’ll be fitter and better focussed mentally on Saturday. I’m changing, improving all the time. I promise you’re going to see the best Renold Quinlan ever against Buatsi.”

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title, David Price and Tom Little meet in a must win Heavyweight clash for both men, British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti, with Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley and Nigerian Middleweight Linus Udofia also featuring on the undercard.

Very limited General Sale tickets are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Joshua Buatsi will defend his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Australia’s Renold Quinlan at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Buatsi won the title in spectacular fashion when he destroyed Andrejs Pokumeiko inside one round at The O2 in July before blitzing Frenchman Tony Averlant in the opening round at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle in September.

The 25-year-old Croydon star is hoping that former IBO Super-Middleweight Champion Quinlan will take him rounds. December 22 will be Quinlan’s second fight in the UK, he took Chris Eubank Jr. ten rounds when they clashed at the Olympia last year.

“Renold Quinlan is a good solid fighter,” said Buatsi. “I’m hoping that he will give me the rounds that I need because my last two fights have gone early. He’s a very tough man and a proud Australian, he’ll be coming to fight. This isn’t about the title, it’s about getting the experience under my belt and pushing on.”

“I’ve seen bits of Buatsi and he’s nothing special,” said Quinlan. “He hasn’t fought anyone like me yet and I can’t wait to give him a great fight. I’m delighted to be returning to the UK on such a big card and I’ll be putting on a great performance for all my UK fans.”

Buatsi vs. Quinlan is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title, David Price and Tom Little meet in a must-win Heavyweight clash and British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti.

Very limited tickets for Whyte vs. Chisora 2 are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)