Joshua Buatsi returned to the ring Sunday after more than a year off and then endured early adversity before stopping Marko Calic in the seventh round in the main event of a card at Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, England.
The highly touted WBA International light heavyweight champion ran his record to 13-0 and collected his 11th knockout against a game Calic, who took advantage of Buatsi's ring rust and presented the Ghana-born British fighter with some hurdles to overcome.
This was Buatsi's first fight since a seventh-round stoppage of Ryan Ford in August 2019, and it certainly felt as if the undefeated champion had to work through timing issues early on.
Buatsi was also well-scouted by Calic and could not find a rhythm as Calic took the fight to him in the opening rounds. Buatsi finally shook off the rust after two rounds and began to land to the head and body. Calic refused to let Buatsi impose his will, however, and landed several hard shots in return, nearly shutting Buatsi's left eye in the third round.
Calic remained competitive as he kept working diligently to keep Buatsi from dominating, but the fight finally turned in Buatsi's favor in the fifth when the champ landed a cracking right hand that shook up the Croatian. Buatsi continued to find a home for his body punches and powerful jab after that.
Buatsi then landed a scintillating right in the seventh to score a knockdown. With Calic (11-1) in deep trouble, Buatsi pounced and laid into his opponent with heavy shots. Although Calic appeared to still be in the bout, the Croatian's corner shockingly decided to throw in the towel and rescue their fighter from further damage. It appears Calic's jaw was broken and he was unfit to take further punishment.
"He was tough and competitive each round," Buatsi said afterward. "Great opponent and under the radar. We knew he was tough, and he gave me a run for my money. But I came out on top and that's the name of the game."
The 27-year-old champion has a bright future and there are calls for him to take on some of the division's best, but Buatsi is comfortable moving at his own pace, so long as he stays busy.
"I just want to keep moving forward. No matter how slow or how quick, I want to continue moving forward," he said. "(After) 400 days off, it's good to be back."