Title hopeful Joshua Buatsi rated his performance five out of ten as the Brit ended his long wait for a Ring return with a comfortable but oddly flat points victory over Pawel Stepien – and made no secret of his desire for a chance at Dan Azeez at a subsequent exchange with his compatriot.
In his first fight in almost exactly a year, 2016 Olympics medalist Buatsi failed to get a 14th stoppage from 17 pro fights at Birmingham Arena. He controlled each turn and barely dealt any significant damage to Stepien.
“I wish I had managed the knockout,” Buatsi told Sky Sports after playing ten rounds with the undefeated Pole as he struggled for the first time since changing promoter and management.
(Lawrence Lustig / Boxxer)
“It was nice to get the laps. There was ring rust and all that stuff, but that wasn’t on my mind. I boxed 10 rounds to get him out of there. Credit to him: He’s clumsy and inwardly, he’s skillful.”
A brief riot in the second round sent Stepien briefly against the ropes, while a body shot from Buatsi in the seventh also took the breath away from the man fighting for the first time away from home.
Waiting for an uptick in the pace that never came from Buatsi, however, fans watched with increasingly subdued enthusiasm as the fighter gained ring time under the tutelage of trainer Virgil Hunter.
Everything under control from the first to the last bell ????@boxingbuatsi gets the victory over the previously undefeated Pawel Stepien to 17-0-0 ????#BuatsiStepien | Now | Resorts World, Birmingham | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/fbjCcUnyKt
— BOXXER (@boxxer) May 6, 2023
“If you ask me, I’d say I’m number one,” said Buatsi while chatting happily with potential future opponent Azeez minutes after his win.
“Our ranking is one in itself. If I fight any geezer from Germany or Russia, people say it’s a good fight. I want a big fight. I’m very disappointed that I didn’t make it there.”
Soon: @boxingbuatsi ???? @dan_azeez?
Both men are more than ready for the fight ????#BuatsiStepien | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/UUPMOGwPLR
— BOXXER (@boxxer) May 6, 2023
Buatsi back without a bang
After not completing more than seven rounds in any of his first 14 bouts, Buatsi wanted to recapture the exciting finishing power that helped him become the WBA number one pick.
Stepien, who had won 18 and drawn one of his 19 previous fights, was fairly reticent for most of the first round, sending a combination to the body and landing with a left to Buatsi’s face as he opened up a bit just before the bell .
The underdog had clearly been in a confident mood during the build-up and he looked just as unfazed as he felt Buatsi’s power as he had as he made his way to the ring in a boisterous arena.
In a fight that at times felt like a spar, Stepien rarely looked concerned and Buatsi hardly seemed to break a sweat, making it difficult to draw conclusions about an anticlimatic fight.
(Lawrence Lustig / Boxxer)
There was a buzz of anticipation around the ring and the obvious suspicion that the home team’s headliner would eventually emerge to turn what seemed a simple workout into a punishing level of pressure.
Azeez, who worked as an expert on the fight, suggested Buatsi could have discharged to brutal effect, and there was speculation that his compliance with Hunter’s strict orders may have prevented the fighter known as “Just Business” from taking any risks .
This was billed as a “new era” for Buatsi. After 30 minutes of uneventful action, he’ll return to Hunter’s gym in California with ambitions to put on a far bigger show next time.
Buatsi had spoken to Artur Beterbiev during the week about beating the winner of Callum Smith’s fight. These two world-class operators must examine the highlights of Buatsi’s past struggles in search of evidence that troubles them.
Good on ???????????? ????@LLPrice94 has been dominant so far as she attempts to secure that British title ????#BuatsiStepien | Now | Resorts World, Birmingham | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/UGrAHaM686
— BOXXER (@boxxer) May 6, 2023
Price makes boxing history
Elsewhere on the card, Lauren Price made history in her fourth professional fight as the Welshman won every act of the first decathlon of her career to beat Kirstie Bavington.
Price became the first British women’s champion by collecting the first welterweight crown after being world and European champion at amateur level.
“I can’t put it into words,” said Price, a middleweight gold medalist at the 2020 Olympics. “It was a dream of mine after coming back from the Olympics. It is a great honor to add more history to my name.”
Fellow Olympian Ben Whittaker also put on a typically swaggering performance on his way to stylishly knocked out Jordan Grant in the third round of their light heavyweight duel.
First the conversation. Second, the right skills ????@BenGWittaker is some talent ????#BuatsiStepien | Now | Resorts World, Birmingham | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/2XCRVyFQot
— BOXXER (@boxxer) May 6, 2023
The silver medalist at the same Olympics danced in the ring and goaded his goal before securing his third straight win since turning pro.
Brash Midlands showman Whittaker appeared to point to Azeez afterwards, saying he needs to “do a little dance” with the fighter who swept the British belts if he continues to hold the titles.
“Activity,” Whittaker said when asked about his immediate plans, showing little taste for the kind of layoffs Buatsi has seen.
“More fights. I think because I came out of here with no injuries, I’m on my way [Chris] Eubank [Jr vs Liam Smith] Map [on June 17]. Get that out of the way, keep my momentum But at the end of the day [Azeez has] has his own way, I have my own.”
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The Sporting News had live results of Buatsi vs Stepien along with the full schedule and tuning in details.
Buatsi vs. Stepien full map results
The Sporting News will update this page with each card result throughout fight night.
Sean McComb defeated. Kaisee Benjamin by resolution – retains WBO European Super Lightweight title
Lauren Price def. Kirstie Bavington by decision – wins the British welterweight title
Ben Whittaker defeated. Jordan Grant by KO in the third round – Light heavyweight
Defeated Cori Gibbs. Jimmy First by decision – Light
Defeated Shakan Pitters. Joel McIntyre by decision – Light heavyweight
Tyler defeated Denny. Macauley McGowan on points – Medium weight
Defeated Danny Quartermaine. Christian Lopez Flores by KO in the fourth round – Junior lightweight
MORE: The best five years in boxing history revisited
When is Buatsi vs Stepien?
- Date: Saturday May 6 | Sunday May 7th
- Start time: 3 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CET | 5 p.m. AEST
- Main Event: 6 p.m. ET | 23:00 CET | 8am AEST (approx.)
Buatsi vs. Stepien will take place on May 6th. The main card begins at 3:00 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. CET | 5 p.m. AEST, with the main event scheduled for 6 p.m. ET | 23:00 CET | 8am AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch Buatsi vs. Stepien
| country | Date | Channel + live stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat May 6th | Sky Sports |
| Great Britain | Sat May 6th | TBA |
| Australia | Sun. May 7th | TBA |
The fight will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK