Joshua Buatsi, the Ghanaian-born British boxer, is in a great position for an International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight world title shot, should Artur Beterbiev’s IBF belt become vacant.
Russian champion, Artur Beterbiev has been ordered to face his Chinese mandatory challenger, Fanlong Meng, but there is a possibility he might vacate the belt.
Buatsi’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed there’s a chance his boxer, currently rated 3rd in the IBF rankings, stand the chance to benefit from that scenario should it happen.
“Buatsi’s in a great position actually because there’s an IBF purse bid that’s been ordered for Artur Beterbiev vs Fanlong Meng – the Chinese fighter.
“And Buatsi’s one [ranking place] behind. So we’ll see what happens there.
“I see 2020 as a massive year for Buatsi, I think he’s a brilliant fighter, someone I’m very excited about.
“I believe he’ll win a world light-heavyweight title in 2020.” The Matchroom owner expressed.
The IBF purse was won by the Chinese side in NJ Rejoy Group. It is understood that the bout is going to be staged in China, but Beterbiev may decline to take this bout due to political reasons.