Eddie Hearn hasn’t stopped batting for considered one of his extremely regarded British mild heavyweight purchasers.
The Matchroom head prompt in a current interview that he “would really like” for London’s Joshua Buatsi to tackle Russian WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol within the spring. It might simply be the hardest problem of the younger Briton’s profession.
Bivol, who can be promoted by Hearn, is coming off a banner 2022 wherein he collected wins over Canelo Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez, and was named by many shops because the clearcut fighter of the 12 months. Bivol, certainly, was BoxingScene’s choose.
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) seems headed towards a rematch with Alvarez within the fall, though it isn’t clear if it will likely be contested, like earlier than, on the mild heavyweight restrict for Bivol’s strap, or at 168, the place Alvarez owns all 4 belts within the division.
Within the interim, Alvarez, who just lately underwent left wrist surgical procedure, could return in Might towards London’s John Ryder, leaving Bivol with the choice to tackle the well-regarded and undefeated Buatsi.
“Bivol will struggle across the similar time (as Alvarez), April, Might,” Hearn informed iFL TV. “I would really like for him to struggle Joshua Buatsi, OK? If he beats Joshua Buatsi, [Bivol] will struggle Canelo Alvarez. If Joshua Buatsi wins, he’ll most likely struggle Canelo Alvarez. However that’s the manner the sunshine heavyweights are enjoying out.”
Hearn was pushing for a Bivol-Buatsi struggle final 12 months, however he was overruled by the WBA, which dominated that Gilberto Ramirez, Bivol’s then obligatory, deserved to sq. off towards the Russian. Hearn went as far as to submit a particular request to bypass the mandate however he was finally unsuccessful. Bivol went on to soundly outpoint Ramirez over 12 rounds in November in Abu Dhabi.
Buatsi (16-0, 13 KOs), lengthy thought to be considered one of Britain’s greatest abilities, went toe-to-toe in a aggressive struggle with countryman Craig Richards final Might. Buatsi received an in depth resolution on the playing cards.
In the identical interview, Hearn additionally stated that he desires his different prime mild heavyweight cost, Callum Smith, to struggle the winner of the upcoming title unification bout between WBC, WBO, IBF 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yard on Jan. 28 in London.