Joshua Buatsi says he is open to a Buatsi Parker rematch, provided both men come through their fights on Saturday. Parker meets the Austrian puncher Umar Dzambekov at the Copper Box Arena, while Buatsi boxes Willie Hutchinson later that night for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight world championship.
The two results are linked. Buatsi told Sky Sports: "I've always been open to fighting these guys and taking these fights." He added that Parker must first do his own job: "Let him do what he's got to do. First and foremost I have to handle business."
Buatsi Parker rematch still disputed by Parker
Parker lost a points decision to Buatsi last year and has not accepted it. He said the reaction on the street has been unanimous. "Every man and his dog walking down the street, the first thing they say to me is you defo won the Buatsi fight. I think it's just plain to see if you got eyes," he told Sky Sports.
He added that the grievance has faded. "I'm not that bitter anymore," Parker said. "You've got to take your ups and downs."
Buatsi's view of that night is different. "The Zach Parker one, it's still a good opponent but what I couldn't comprehend was being on the floor and thinking you won the fight. It was a spoiler of a style," he said. He added: "I'm not telling you how to box or what tactics to use but simply being on the canvas so many times and thinking that's going to give you a win, it doesn't make sense."
Zach Parker faces Umar Dzambekov at the Copper Box Arena
Dzambekov, an Austrian, has drawn attention for one-punch knockouts. Parker said the assignment is not a step down from the Buatsi fight. "I've got a big fight in front of me, it's probably a harder fight than the Buatsi fight," he said. "I've got to focus on myself."
He said he accepted the bout without hesitation. "Put them in front of me and I'll go out and beat them," Parker said. "I'm like the old-school boxers. This is my job. I've got to go out do my job no matter who's in front of me."
Willie Hutchinson rematch for the vacant WBC title
Buatsi boxed Hutchinson two years ago and expects a different opponent this time. "I'm simply expecting a better version to the guy that I boxed two years ago. He's had two fights since and so have I, I've boxed better opposition I would definitely say," he said. "I'm expecting a better Hutchinson. He is a good fighter."
He described the title shot as the end of a long wait. "It's been a whole career waiting for this opportunity," Buatsi said. "To now be fighting for a full world title, it's all I've been training for for many years."
Analysis: what Saturday decides
Analysis. A Buatsi win delivers a full world title; a Parker win over Dzambekov keeps the rematch available. A defeat for either man takes the fixture off the table, which is why Buatsi framed the sequence as business to be handled rather than a promise.
The original report is from skysports.com.