Joshua Buatsi will face the hardest test of his career on February 3 when he puts his unbeaten record on the line again Dan Azeez, another undefeated fighter.
The light-heavyweight clash was supposed to take place last year but was called off, but the pair will now renew hostilities with the winner likely to push on towards world titles.
Buatsi has impressed on his climb to the top and with Azeez set to be his final obstacle before facing the biggest names at 175lbs, the Croydon fighter has spoken about what fighters have influenced him.
Joe Frazier was a huge force at heavyweight throughout the thriving scene of the 1970s and the Philadelphia man has played a big part in motivating Buatsi.
“His worth ethic,” said Buatsi when speaking to ProBox TV about Frazier. “The clips I have seen, he is always grinding. His style of fighting is something I always found attractive.
“I will say this, as I have been boxing longer, I have realized that style of boxing is [more of] a short-term thing.
“I am not saying there is no skill to what Frazier does, because there is a tremendous amount of skill to what he does, but it is a brutal way of fighting. You see how you have to prepare to fight like [Joe Frazier].”
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