BoxRec

Joshua Buatsi will defend his WBA international light-heavyweight title against Ryan Ford on the undercard of the huge lightweight title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell at The O2 in London on August 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

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

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 lightweight world titles and Hughie Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) takes on former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (34-2, 24 KOs).

If Buatsi can get both those fights in before Christmas is fine.

He’s had a long break tho so I think 4 fights this year means he’s a fight behind what he should have had.

Hopefully a European shot in the new year. I don’t think Buatsi will follow in the footsteps of Ritson and Cheeseman in being outclassed at European title fight level.

Ryan Ford is a tough fighter, he got robbed as being the away side many times.

He would give Buatsi a hard time, yet maybe get a win.

Ryan Ford is the same guy everyone trashed when Yarde was scheduled to fight him. Reality is he's actually a tough guy and could easily have some of those away losses be wins. Ford, then Richards, then Euro level is good.

Let’s not forget this fight.

It’s a crap fight. Ford was putting his name about the bare knuckle scene not long ago.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2019, 17:04 It’s a crap fight. Ford was putting his name about the bare knuckle scene not long ago.

I thought Ford could give Buatsi a bit of a run, but if this is true, I may change my mind.

Career opponent puts his name out there for more opportunities, shock gasp. I don't see why it really makes him any weaker of an opponent than his actual ring showings would suggest

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Aug 2019, 17:08 Career opponent puts his name out there for more opportunities, shock gasp. I don't see why it really makes him any weaker of an opponent than his actual ring showings would suggest

Seems several steps down from boxing to me. Don't see why he would consider that unless he feels he's better suited, which doesn't say a lot about how he sees his own chances. It's an opinion.

He's a former MMA fighter before boxing and has been in different disciplines, I think he's just looking for opportunities.

The Quinlan fight was no good.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Aug 2019, 17:23 He's a former MMA fighter before boxing and has been in different disciplines, I think he's just looking for opportunities.

It wasn’t great money or at a level anywhere near Buatsi. Not even close.

I don't mind it. Ford's at least got a bit of a pedigree and has been about. He's not hard to hit though I expect Buatsi will stop him.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑29 Aug 2019, 04:30

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Aug 2019, 17:23 He's a former MMA fighter before boxing and has been in different disciplines, I think he's just looking for opportunities.

It wasn’t great money or at a level anywhere near Buatsi. Not even close.

Money is money, though. I watched a little documentary on him and it just sounds like the guy likes being paid. I can relate to that.