Joshua Buatsi Stops Ricards Bolotniks With Brutal 11th Round KO
Joshua Buatsi overcame a tough and game Ricards Bolotniks to win the fight via a brutal 11th round knockout. The British light-heavyweight contender, who works with legendary trainer Virgil Hunter, continues his march towards a world title shot.
The unbeaten fighter from Croydon, London and a former Olympian – looked to have taken control of the fight when he knocked down Bolotniks in the sixth round but the Latvian refused to give in. Buatsi appeared to have punched himself out as Bolotniks finally began to stamp his mark on the fight. But Buatsi finished the bout in stunning fashion with a 11th round big right hand knockout punch.
Bustsi was the fighter who was pressing the action for the majority of the fight, marching forward behind a stiff intelligent jab but Bolotniks would occasionally connect with overhand rights throughout the fight, which at times seems to stiffen the Londoner’s legs.
In the sixth round Bolotniks was dumped to the canvas by a left hook from Buatsi but the Latvian continued to fight on. Buatsi went looking for the KO and as a result, appeared to gas himself out. As he looked for his second wind in the following rounds, Bolotniks began to grow in confidence and at times pushed Buatsi backwards.
Buatsi was deducted a point in the eighth round for low punches but this did not deter Buatsi from marching forward as he did for the vast majority of the fight. In the tenth round he connected with a variety of hurtful punches before the 11th round, where the headline show ended.
Bolotniks was backing away against the ropes towards his own corner when Buatsi connected with a powerful over right hand punch which brutally ended the fight and sent Bolotniks to the canvas.
Buatsi, as ever, was humble and gracious in victory.
‘I’m grateful, man, big credit to Bolotniks he’s a good champion’, Buatsi said in the post-fight interview with the DAZN.
‘I’d never been to the seventh round and I said let’s see what happens after seven but I was there to 11, I worked every round but congratulations to him, he’s a good champion’
“I sat in the corner and asked myself ‘who told you to empty the tank? In camp my sparring is hard, big ups to my sparring partners they push me for twelve rounds. I knew that I’ve been here before in sparring.”
Andre Ward paid tribute to the victory on Twitter and promoter Eddie Hearn believed the fight was a perfect learning fight for Buatsi. In that, if he is going to challenge the world champions of the light-heavyweight division in the future, such a fight will hold him in good stead.
Big respect to Ricards Bolotniks for his toughness and fighting spirit, and congratulations to Joshua Buatsi on a good performance.
