Joshua Buatsi is hoping to show he has added to his game after a year out of the ring ahead of a showdown with Marko Calic on October 4.
The WBA light-heavyweight international champion explained that he put Britain’s coronavirus lockdown to good use.
“Just training alone. I was out there cycling for hours. Running. The weather was really good. It was quite straightforward. Not everyone found it easy, but for myself it was straightforward,” he told Matchroom.
He ran through the string of cancellations and disappointments that have kept him out of professional boxing for so long.
“I boxed 31 August 2019. Then I was meant to box 2 November 2019," he recalled
“Three weeks before that I was very, very ill. The doctor advised me not to fight — I said I was going to go ahead with it. Then the doctor advised my coach that I really shouldn’t go ahead with it, so I stepped aside to get better.”
“March 28 2020 that was the next day,” he continued.
“I did nine weeks in camp, and two weeks [before the fight] it was cancelled because of the coronavirus. That took some time, then we were on lockdown for six months.”
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old Olympic bronze medal winner did not get down over the lack of action, and looked at the positives.
“There is always something positive to take out of these situations. My body has rested when it needed to. There’s less battering, the grind against your body.
“I’ve stayed in the gym for as long as I can. I’m healthy, I’m fit. I’m strong, I’m good to go.”
While he anticipates the return to boxing will be strange, he thinks the reality of competition will spark him into action.
“It will be a bit awkward getting back into it, but once I’m in there with someone looking to take my head off, it’s time to fight.
“I still have to protect myself, and defend myself. I have to get to them before they get to you. That’s my mentality.”