Joshua Buatsi will not underestimate opponent Marko Calic in their October fight, claimed the British light-heavyweight.
The pair are due to meet on 4 October for the WBA International light-heavyweight belt, and Buatsi believes he is ready despite last having fought in August 2019 when he faced Ryan Ford in London.
Buatsi, 27, has been reportedly lined up for fights with boxers such as Anthony Yarde and Callum Johnson, but first he must negotiate his way past Calic.
“Marko Calic is a solid opponent who will be coming to win," acknowledged Buatsi. "He’s very experienced in the amateur scene and was around on the circuit years before me. He boxed in the 91kg category as an amateur, I always fought at 81kg. He's represented his country in a lot of tournaments, Europeans, World Championships and the World Series of Boxing.
"This is a well-established amateur. As a pro he is undefeated with a record of 11-0. That’s all I need to know about him. He had loads of WSB fights so he knows what he is doing. He knows how to handle himself. It’s my job to go in there and to come out on top, which I’m very confident of doing. I’m doing everything that I can to make sure that I remain unbeaten on October 4th.
"He’ll be game and he’ll try it but that’s what I’m expecting, so I’ll be there too. If the opportunity for a knockout comes, as always, I’ll take it. The aim is to go out there and box, get some rounds in. I wouldn’t shy away from saying if I hurt someone within the first couple of rounds, I’m there to close the show. The overall aim is to win. That’s where my mind set is at. On October 4th that’s what I’m getting in there to do."
Croatian 33-year-old Calic last fought in October last year, and is undefeated in 11 fights after turning professional in 2016.