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Josh Buatsi insisted he would be “a fool” to view Dan Azeez as a “safe option” as their British rivalry flared up while filming ‘The Gloves Are Off’.
The British light-heavyweight rivals went head to head in front of the cameras ahead of their South London showdown at The O2 on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Ranked at No 1 and No 2 in the WBA rankings, Buatsi agreed that he is facing a 50/50 fight against a fellow unbeaten contender.
“Two arms, two legs – yes,” said Buatsi.
But Azeez hit back immediately, saying: “No way!
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Buatsi and Azeez went head to head in the Sky Sports News studio and shared their predictions for fight night .
“I think Josh has picked this fight because he believes it’s a safer option.
“We both know each other, and that’s why he’s got that grin on his face.”
Buatsi quickly denied that claim.
“Dan knows I don’t think this guy is an easier option,” he said.
Buatsi and Azeez became embroiled in a fiery debate
“I’m glad he brought that up because I moved promotions – all of that stuff – and you were offered me for my first fight.
“I said ‘Dan’s cool – give me someone else’.
“Everyone likes Dan, I like Dan.
“The only reason I’d fight Dan is if something was at stake.
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Azeez opens up on his bout with Buatsi and how he likes to prove himself right and others wrong
“Dan’s No 2 and I’m No 1 – we want to get that championship.
“So, Dan, I’m going to clear it up. – never think I’ve come chasing you.
“You did an interview and said, ‘no, Buatsi didn’t come to Sky to fight me’, and that’s facts – you know I didn’t.
“I came to be active and to become world champion.
“You crept up the rankings nicely – it just happens to be No 1 against No 2, and that’s what it is.”
But Azeez did not believe this explanation.
“It’s good that he tried to clear it up but I’ve heard different from people in the industry as well as people around our circle,” said Azeez.
“This is the fight he wants.
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Virgil Hunter is certainly pushing Buatsi past the limit in his preparation to fight Azeez
“I’ve been with BOXXER before him and had my own trajectory.
“Around now, I was going to fight a credible name – I had two or three, but then, out of the blue, ‘Josh wants to fight you’.
“I didn’t get a call from him, so that’s when I realised, something is up – I was like, it’s started already, we’re not really talking, we’re about to fight.
“What makes me feel that way is that he is ashamed to say he wanted to fight me like I’m not credible enough and haven’t earned my stripes.
“Maybe he doesn’t want the British public to feel that way, but I know that deep down, I’m a fighter, I’ve worked my way up, nothing has been given to me – he knows this.
“I believe I’ve earned my stripes, and it’s the fact that he doesn’t want to admit that he wants to fight me, rubs me up the wrong way.”
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Friends will become enemies when Buatsi and Azeez clash at The O2 Arena on October 21
Buatsi, though, said he would be “a fool” to underestimate Azeez.
“I’ve seen the come-up, I’ve seen the hustle, I’ve seen the grind – Dan is a good competitor.
“The main thing is we know what is at stake, he knows what is at stake.
“There’s no beef or anything, it just someone that I have to fight that I’ve been cool with.”
Watch the full episode on Sky Sports of The Gloves Are Off – Buatsi vs Azeez, On Demand.
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