BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – (May 4, 2023) -World championship belts: that’s the goal for Joshua Buatsi in 2023 as he returns to the ring aiming to put the light-heavyweight division on notice and resume his world title campaign in the main event of the BOXXER: CROWNING GLORY event taking place this Saturday night at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena.

Unified world champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol are both on Buatsi’s radar – but world title opportunities depend on Buatsi successfully handling Poland’s undefeated Pawel Stepien this weekend atop a main card airing live from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Showcase.

“When you win an amateur tournament you come back with something tangible, a medal to show people,” the 2016 Olympic bronze medal winner told a busy pre-fight press conference today.

“In the professional ranks the equivalent is a world title belt and that’s what I want: something tangible to show people that I am the world champion. So the aim this year is to have something tangible to show the people.”

Buatsi is determined to force his way to a world shot, while Poland’s Stepien is looking for an upset that would see him seize the Londoner’s place at the top of the WBA rankings and position himself for a championship fight.

The two unbeaten boxers are putting their future plans on the line in Saturday’s fight.

“Buatsi is a very good fighter. I have watched and studied his fights and I’m happy that I can step in the ring with him on Saturday night and test my skills,” said Stepien.

“This is the height of my career. I’m even more happy that I’m in the main event.”

“He’s a good boxer, represented his country, which I must give credit to,” he said of Stepien. “I’m sure he’ll be strong and tough. But I’m here to win – there’s no other language, there’s no other thinking process, there’s no other thought. The aim is to win, and look good doing it.”

PRICE vs BAVINGTON

The bill also features a history-making event when Lauren Price and Kirstie Bavington fight for the first professional women’s British championship.

British championship belts for male boxers were inaugurated 114 years ago, but no female equivalent existed – until now.

Price is a trail-blazer who won Wales’ first Olympic boxing gold medal in 2021. But it is early in her pro career and Bavington is a seasoned fighter and a former European champion herself.

“It’s a beautiful looking belt as well. It’s great just to add more history to my name,” Price said. “I believe in myself and I’ll come out victorious. I know she’s game, she’s tough, she’s a pressure fighter, I believe I’m a level above.”

Bavington however will make sure the fight is no coronation for Price, who’s only had three professional fights so far in her career.

“She’s fighting me for 10 rounds. I’m here to win and that’s it. Come May 6 (Saturday), this is me, I’m going to bring that British title home.”

Price’s team-mate from Tokyo Games, Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker returns to action against Jordan “The Game” Grant.

Grant has taken exception to Whittaker’s comments and acknowledges there’s “needle” between them.

“It’ll be good when I beat him,” the Scotsman said. “I wouldn’t have taken this fight if I wasn’t confident. But obviously if you’re an Olympian and you’re getting medals you’re right up there in the boxing world. I’m under no illusions – it’s a mountain to climb, but it’ll be sweeter when I beat him. It’ll change my life. I’m ready for a war, so let’s go.”

Ben Whittaker and Jordan Grant continued to exchange words during the face-off ahead of their fight on Saturday night.

Whittaker however is certain that with his injury woes behind him, he is on course for another victory.

“‘The Surgeon’ is back. They call [my style] flash because they can’t do it. Saturday you’ll see more flash, more performances and why I’m special.”

Local men Kaisee Benjamin and Tyler Denny are relishing their bouts that will kick off the televised card, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Showcase from 7pm on Saturday.

Benjamin fights Sean McComb, the skilled operator from Belfast, while Denny is boxing Macaulay McGowan, who like Denny is in good form.

“In front of the home crowd I’m looking to put on a dominant performance… I’m looking to come, win and do the business, and look good doing it as well.

“It’s a good fight, he’s a game fighter, I’m a game fighter and it’s going to match up really well. I can’t see it not being a great fight.

“It’s going to be fireworks.”

Saturday’s event begins with a live stream airing free on the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel at 5pm, followed by the main card which can be watched live from 7pm on Sky Showcase (for non-Sky Sports subscribers) and Sky Sports Action (for Sky Sports subscribers). 

Josh Taylor escaped with a 12-round split decision over heavy underdog Jack Catterall to retain the undisputed junior welterweight title a the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland

It was a tough fight with Catterall getting through with overhand lefts. Taylor took a few rounds to get going and was able to get into the fight in the second half of the contest.

In round five, Taylor began to swell around his right eye.

In round eight, Catterall landed a left that was ruled a knockdown. In round 10, Catterall was deducted a point for hitting on the break. Taylor was deducted a point after round 11 for tapping Catterall after the bell.

Taylor landed just 73 of 302 punches; while Catterall was 120 of 525.

The judges saw the fight 114-111 and 113-112 for Taylor. Catterall won a scorecard 113-112.

Taylor, 140 lbs of Scotland is now 19-0. Catterall, 139 lbs of Chorley, ENG is 26-1.

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez stopped Eric Donovan in round three of their 10-round featherweight bout.

In round one, Ramirez dropped Donovan with a straight left. In round three, Ramirez landed a hard left that sent Donovan down and the fight was over at 1:04.

Ramirez, 126.3 lbs of Cuba is 9-1 with five knockouts. Donovan, 126.3 lbs of Ireland is 14-2.

Nick Campbell scored a 7th round stoppage over Jay McFarlane in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight brawl

In round seven, Campbell dropped McFarlane with a right uppercut. Campbell continued to batter McFarlane with hard power shots and the fight was finally stopped at 2:18.

Campbell, 254 lbs of Glasgow, SCO is 5-0 with five knockouts. McFarlane, 276 lbs of Glasgow is now 12-6.

Paddy Donovan remained undefeated with a 6th and final round stoppage over Miroslav Serban in a welterweight fight.

In round six, Serban was cut around the left ear. and the fight was stopped.

Donovan, 146 lbs of Limerick, IRE is 8-0 with six knockouts. Serban, 145 lbs of the Czech Republic is 13-9.

Ebonie Jones and Eftychia Kathopuli fought to a six-round draw in a featherweight contest.

The referee score was 57-57. Jones, 126 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG is 1-0-1. Kathopuli, 124 lbs of Scotland is 4-3-1.

John Docherty stopped Jordan Grant in round two of their eight-round super middleweight fight.

In the 2nd frame, Docherty landed a left uppercut to to the body that sent Grant down for the count at 2:49.

Docherty, 172 lbs of Scotland is 12-1 with nine knockouts. Grant, 176 lbs of Hamilton, SCO is 4-2.

Bilal Fawaz stopped Malam Varela in round three of their four-round middleweight contes.

In round one, Fawaz was credited with a knockdown and a left knocked Varela off balance. In round three, Fawaz landed a 16 punch flurry on the ropes, and the fight was stopped.

Fawaz, 158.3 lbs of London, ENG is 2-0 with two knockouts. Varela, 162 lbs of Manchester, ENG is 1-2.

Scott Forrest stopped Eric Nazaryan in the 2nd round of their four-round cruiserweight bout after Nazaryan could not continue due to a arm injury.

The time was 1:08 for Forrest, 203.3 lbs who is 1-0 with one stoppage. Nazaryan, 207 lbs is 28-26-4-2.

2021 Olympian Kurt Walker stopped Jaroslav Hiradel in the opening round of their four-round featherweight bout.

In round one, Walker dropped Hiradel with a body shots, and the fight was stopped at 2:03

Walker, 129 lbs of Northern Ireland is 1-0 with one knockout. Hiradel, 127.3 lbs of the Czech Republic is 1-3.

Kieron Molloy made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Damian Esquisabel in a junior middleweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 33 seconds for Molloy, who is now 1-0. Equisabel is 4-8.

UNBEATEN Jordan Grant believes Tommy Fury will get the shock of his life this weekend.

The Love Island star faces a step up in class when he meets Grant (2-0) in a Light-Heavyweight four rounder at Telford International Centre on Saturday night (June 5), live on BT Sport.

Grant’s all-action style promises to make it a tough night for Fury (5-0, 4 KOs) who trained in Miami for the bout alongside his big brother, WBC World Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.

Hamilton’s Grant who boxed as an amateur and from the age of 15 fought more than 20 times on the unlicensed circuit warned: “I am not a road fighter.

“This is a big opportunity against a well known opponent who I think I have the tools to beat.

“You have to take these opportunities to move forward and it will do a lot of good for my career if I cause an upset.

“If I win I will always be known as the man who beat the guy from Love Island who is Tyson Fury’s brother, but I am there to show my skills.

“I will go down there and leave everything in the ring. I don’t want to be another number on his record. I am going down there to keep my zero.

“I think the pressure got to Tommy’s team and they needed to move up and fight a better opponent. It is about that time to take the leap for Tommy, anyway.

“I have always told my manager Sam Kynoch that if any 50-50 fights are offered I am happy to take them, and this is proof.

“You don’t have a long time boxing so while you are in it, you better do the best you can and get the best fights you can so you can push forward.”

While Fury can afford to set up expensive American training camps, his Scottish opponent works seven days a week and trains in the evening.

But there is no jealousy towards Fury who has the backing of Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren besides his reality TV fame and a world famous family name.

Grant, 23, explained: “I respect any fighter and I am not one for talking Tommy down.

“He has done very well for himself and got the TV exposure so fair play to him. It is a hard enough sport so if there is a way to get your name out there and get sponsors do it.

“These guys get paid to train and sponsored so there is a total difference to me. I have two jobs to keep my family.

“I am out digging holes during the day. I am also a qualified tiler so I do that at the weekend. Most of the time it is a seven day working week and training in the evening.

“This fight will help my career take off and I might get the backing to become a full-time boxer, get the best fights and put on the best show.”

Fury v Grant is on a bill that is headlined by Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) who challenges Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for the WBA interim Heavyweight title.

Belfast’s Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) is back and will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win when he boxes Mexican Ernesto Olvera (11-6-1, 3 KOs)

Stoke-on-Trent’s hugely popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).

Unbeaten English Bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs) faces Bulgaria’s Stefan Slavchev (11-38-2, 4 KOs).

Featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) boxes a four rounder against Luke Fash (2-59-2).

Also on the show is 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.

TOMMY FURY WILL take on the unbeaten Scot Jordan Grant as he bids to clock up half a dozen wins in the professional ranks at the Telford International Arena on Saturday, live on BT Sport.

The 23-year-old Hamilton man, known as ‘The Game’, holds a current record of 2-0, having turned professional in November 2019. ‘TNT’ Fury, 22, has scored four speedy knockout victories in his five pro fights to date.

Fury v Grant is part of the supporting cast to the main event of Daniel Dubois (15-1, 4 KOs) colliding with the Romanian Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) with the WBA Interim heavyweight title belt on the line.

Unfortunately, Marcio Soza – Archie Sharp’s scheduled opponent for his WBO Global super featherweight title fight – tested positive for Covid-19 and the fight will be re-booked for a July date.

Elsewhere on the card, Nathan Heaney (11-0, 5KOs) will have the backing of some 600 fans from Stoke when he battles for a dozen wins as a pro against the Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs) in his second event as a Queensberry middleweight.

Also at 160lbs, Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) from Belfast will continue to pick up experience as he moves towards title contention with an eight-rounder against the Mexican Ernesto Olvera (11-6-1, 3 KOs).

The English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs) – a native of Telford – will have his first fight since signing with Queensberry and goes up against the Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev (11-38-2, 4 KOs) over six rounds.

Super bantamweight prospect Adan Mohamed (1-0) has his second professional fight against Luke Fash (2-59-2) and former amateur knockout artist George Bance makes his professional debut over four rounds at super lightweight.

Coverage from the Telford International Arena begins from 7pm live on BT Sport 1