Joshua Buatsi defeats Ricards Bolotniks & results from Fight Camp 3 in UK

Joshua Buatsi vs. Ricards Bolotniks

Fight Camp Week 3, Matchroom HQ, Brentwood, Essex, England 14/8/21

Joshua Buatsi W TKO 11 Ricards Bolotniks

(WBA International Light Heavyweight Title)

12x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Ricards Bolotniks put in an incredible performance – but came up narrowly short in his world title eliminator against Joshua Buatsi on Saturday.

The two men were going head to head at Matchroom Fight Camp on an event broadcast live on DAZN, with Bolotniks gaining an army of fans due to his heart, bravery and toughness.

Bolotniks (18-6-1, 8 KOs) performed well in the first round, and continued to exchange good shots with Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) as the fight progressed.

Buatsi gained the upper hand when he dropped Bolotniks in round six, but Bolotniks again recovered well and appeared to win two of the rounds following the knockdown.

Bolotniks continued to dig in deep, but the fight ended in round 11 when Buatsi got the stoppage. Despite the defeat, Bolotniks received high praise for his performance due to his never say die attitude, and will definitely come again in the future.

Joe Cordina W KO 1 Joshuah Hernandez

(Lightweight)

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Cordina landed with his right hand with pin-point timing with Hernandez knocked down for the ten count. Time of the stoppage was just 0:53 of the 1st round.

Michael McKinson W PTS UD 10 Przemyslaw Runowski

(WBO Global Welterweight Title)

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Michael McKinson retained his WBO Global welterweight title with a slick performance against Przemyslaw Runowski on Saturday.

The two men squared off at Matchroom Fight Camp on an event broadcast live on DAZN, with McKinson (21-0, 2 KOs) taking the fight 99-91, 99-91, 98-92 on the scorecards after 10 rounds of dominant action.

It sees the Portsmouth fighter move another step closer to a shot at a world title, and he was pleased with his performance against Runowski.

McKinson said: “I’m happy, that was easier than I thought it would be, I didn’t really get out of first gear. I visibly hurt him a few times, but I boxed to instructions and got the win.

“To be fair I didn’t think he won a round against me, but he was a tough guy. Him and his team were very confident beforehand, I liked the energy they brought all week, but I just had to show I was a level above, and I was a few levels above – I’m happy.

“They keep giving me harder opposition, they keep telling me it’s a step up and I’m making it look easier and easier. What people forget is I’m learning every day on the job as well; I’m developing and who knows where I can be in a year or twos time. I’m in a position where a lot of boxers dream of being in, all I can do it stay focused, keep learning and keep working my way to the top.

“First time on the A side you know, not many people can say they’ve boxed in Gibraltar and not many people can say they’ve boxed in Eddie’s back garden and done both this year. I can’t moan or complain, I’m really happy and blessed.

“2021 and my career has just started, 21-0 and making it look easy. I really want to keep stepping up, keep challenging myself, keep having more and more tests. I’m still learning but I’m learning quick and finding it easy now. I want opponents that will make me step through the gears, a few times I hurt him there like I can punch, I don’t need to, I boxed to instructions. I didn’t really get out of first gear.

“I believe I’m the best 147 pounder in the country. I like Conor, I get on well with him, but if he can’t get them two guys the Brooks or the Khans, I’m always here. I’ll fight whoever they give me, I’ve never turned down a fight and that’s a fact – I don’t plan on turning down fights. I really do believe in myself, and I believe in my development as well. I’m going to be going to the top I promise you.

“I’m really happy for Liam Taylor because he never really gets a fair ranking and he’s a good fighter so I’m happy he’s got that opportunity. I’m not far behind, I’d like the winner, but I’ll fight whoever makes sense and whoever my management team want to get me next – the answer is always yes. That guy there I just beat took Josh Taylor to points on short notice, he had a full camp against me, his team were so confident talking to me in the hotel.

“Like I said, I make their confidence fade round by round, they don’t call me ‘The Problem’ for no reason. I will carry on being a problem as I step through the levels as the opposition gets better, trust me.

“Josh Kelly has got a lot of ability, he’s a skilful fighter, I like Josh – even after the Avanesyan defeat I still think he’s a top fighter. Florian Marku talks a lot doesn’t he, he didn’t know who I was a few months ago on social media on an interview, he said he didn’t know who I was.

“At least they’re talking about me now, let him prove himself because I don’t think he’s proved himself at a decent level yet, not saying he’s not a good fighter, but he does need to prove himself as a fighter to be respected. Good luck to all of them, I wish nothing but the best for all my rivals, you know I’m here and I’ll fight anybody.

“Even when we go back to proper arenas and stuff, wait till we get hundreds and hundreds of Portsmouth fans loud and proud. I’ve got great support and it’s always growing; I know there’s a lot of people that didn’t come today but when they’re allowed everyone will see the Portsmouth fans.”

Hopey Price W PTS 6 Claudio Grande

(Super Bantamweight)

6x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Price knocked Grande down just before the last bell with it ring as he was being counted by the ref. It was a perfect punch on the chin and he may have been saved with it at the end of the fight. Price won the referees decision with a score of 58-55.

Kash Farooq W PTS UD 10 Luis Gerardo Castillo

(Bantamweight)

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: The bout went the 10 round distance with Farooq winning a unanimous decision from the judges. Scores were 100-90 x2 and 100-91.

Raymond Ford W TKO 3 Reece Bellotti

(WBA Continental Featherweight Title)

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Raymond Ford had a great performance and conquered the Continental Featherweight title of the World Boxing Association (WBA) by defeating the British Reece Bellotti by TKO in the third round.

Ford made his second professional fight in England and his first since 2019. The 22-year-old encountered an aggressive opponent in Bellotti but was able to decipher his rival fast to win early in the fight.

The American knew how to walk the ring and attack his opponent with combinations. In the third round, he connected Bellotti on a counterattack and put him in a vulnerable condition, he went on the attack and, given the amount of punches he was connecting, the referee decided that it was enough.

It is the first professional title won by Ford, who is the new continental champion of the pioneer body. Also, he got his ninth victory, while he has a draw and 5 KOs. For his part, Bellotti now has a record of 14 wins, 5 losses, and 12 KOs.

Time of the stoppage was 0:40 of the 3rd round.

Zelfa Barrett W TKO 4 Viorel Simion

8x 3 Minutes

 Fight Notes: Simion retired after the 3rd round with Barret winning by stoppage in the 4th round.

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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