Barak Bess believes that light heavyweight fighter Joshua Buatsi is a better boxer than Artur Beterbiev, and isn't far from being ready to challenge the fearsome Russian.
Buatsi stopped Latvian Ricards Bolotniks in the final fight of the Fight Camp series at the weekend, sending him to the canvas with a fierce right-hander.
The 28-year-old English fighter may now fight in America according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn, ahead of a title fight in 2022. Hearn mentioned Dmitry Bivol as a potential opponent.
Speaking on the DAZN Boxing Show, Akin ‘Ak’ Reyes said: “I think about Buatsi. Even though I seen him get hit in that fight more than I've ever seen him get hit before, I was even more impressed than any other fight because of the way he dealt with the adversity and his aggression.
“He did not step back, he did not become more wary in the fight after getting hit with some clean right hands. Credit to his opponent who was actually tricky and crafty in there. When he got hit with those right hands. I sat back and said, ‘Okay, let's see what he's going to do now.’”
Ak also suggested that Buatsi might have both the style and experience to give him a title shot already.
“These Brits, they got a little more sauce now. And I love it. I love to see it,” he said.
“I like how aggressive he is when he places shots. He can work on a couple of things defensively. He can slip, catch a couple of shots more here and there. But man, he looks stupendous and he's wanting to hurt guys. This is the hurt business. He likes to hurt guys. He hurt his opponent. I say that Buatsi is ready. If not after maybe one more fight. Even if he gets a call for a title shot tomorrow, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
Barak Bess then claimed that he may need one more fight before he faces IBF and WBC light heavyweight fighter Beterbiev.
“If you don't train like you're fighting the best, then you'll never be the best,” he began.
“You have to always envision fighting the best no matter what. So yes, he did good against Bolotniks I say get a former champ, somebody else at 175 before he moves up to a Beterbiev or something like that. And actually, I think he's a better boxer than Beterbiev.”