Josh Buatsi returns to London’s O2 Arena on March 23 and commences battle with Liam Conroy for the vacant British light-heavyweight title.
Buatsi, alongside debutant Shannon Courtenay, will be on the undercard of Charlie Edwards, who makes the first defense of his WBC title against Angel Moreno.
And one of Britain’s brightest prospects has admitted his focus is on following into the footsteps of Edwards in winning major titles.
“I’d like to congratulate Shannon for turning professional and making her debut on March 23. We must congratulate this man to my left Charlie Edwards for winning the world title.
“Again, it’s not about the opponent. It’s a title that I want to win, it’s part of the journey that I’m taking. Conroy is the man that’s been put forward and on March 23 it’s going to happen.
“I’ll be doing everything within my will and my power to win that title.
“I’ve been putting in the work in the gym and I’ve been getting sparring that’s been more than ten rounds. I’ve been putting in the work physically and mentally and as my trainer will say, as the runs go on I get better and better.
“They might think that I’ve only done three one rounders but that’s cool, I’ll be prepared, I’ll be there from one to twelve so whichever number it is.
“If I see the opening I’ll take it. If it’s the first round it’s the first round. Don’t be surprised if it’s the first, it could happen again,” he said.
CONROY
Finally, opponent Conroy is confident he can stave off the Buatsi threat to claim the coveted Lonsdale Belt.
“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,” said Conroy.
“This has always been my goal. I’m just dead grateful for being on the show. I’d like to thank Matchroom for putting on the show against Buatsi, but it’s not about the opponent, it’s about my journey and the British title is my dream.
“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.
“Like I say, it wasn’t about the opponent, it was about the title. I think no matter who the opponent was I would have taken the fight.
“People seem to think that I’ve been given something here, being in this fight but I haven’t been given anything.
“I’ve kicked down all of these doors and I’ve made myself mandatory challenger to the British title,” he added.
Joe Hewlett is lead writer for World Boxing News. Follow Joe on Twitter @Hewlett95
