Light heavyweight contender Dan Azeez is only days away from his grudge match with unbeaten Olympian Joshua Buatsi.
Their WBA world title eliminator takes place on Saturday at Wembley Arena.
They were initially scheduled to collide back in October, but the bout was postponed during fight week when Azeez sustained a back injury during camp.
Azeez, the British, Commonwealth and European light heavyweight champion, views the bout as a career-defining opportunity.
The two fighters are former sparring partners, and at one time were good friends, but plenty of tension has spilled over during their pre-fight banter.
“I feel good, pleased it’s been rescheduled because it’s a very important fight. Two undefeated fighters,” Azeez told Sky Sports. “Like Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield, they were undefeated fighters. You can’t let them fights go. I’m so happy I was able to get the fight on.”
“Josh is the perfect dance partner. From our spars, they’re never boring so I can’t imagine what this is going to be like. 10 ounce gloves. He can whack. I’ve got a bit of dig on me too.”
Azeez, who is confident of victory, is expecting a very tough assignment.
“I envision the best Buatsi in every aspect. Cool. Calm,” Azeez said. “Because that’s how I build up myself. If I start thinking of him with weaknesses and then it doesn’t happen what then? So I build up a monster in my head. Someone who’s unfazed. And it’s not someone I don’t know. I’ve been in there with him.
“I know this guy. Coming up this guy was the man. He’s the guy I was looking at. He’s the person I was watching. I just want to get in there. The goal’s still the same, the mission’s still the same. It’s just been a bit more time.”
Credit: Boxing Scene