sport news Joshua Buatsi edged Craig Richards thriller but still has work to do if Dmitry ... trends now
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It was Joshua Buatsi whose hand was raised as expected, but only at the end of an enthralling, swashbuckling slug-fest with Craig Richards inside a boisterous O2 Arena.
Buatsi, who has ambitions to go on from here and conquer the light-heavyweight division, seemed too quick and slick for Richards early on in this South London derby. His speed and timing was causing the latter problems and a potential shut-out was not beyond the realm of possibility.
That was before Richards turned the tables in the middle of the contest, derailing Buatsi's momentum and at one stage even leaving him out on his feet after stiffening his legs with a series of pinpoint blows. It served as a timely reminder for the pre-fight favourite that he still has plenty of work to do if he wants to mix it with Dmitry Bivol and Arturt Beterbiev, the division's top dogs.
Joshua Buatsi earned a unanimous decision win against Craig Richards on Saturday night
There are many positives for Virgil Hunter, Buatsi's esteemed American trainer, to take from the display in what was undoubtedly the toughest test of his career to date. Richards is as game as they come, with a chin seemingly made of steel, and his nip-and-tuck points defeat against
