My excitement levels were high coming into this one and it didn't disappoint.

Joshua Buatsi was a clear winner but there were some moments where that fight blew up.

Dan Azeez deserves credit for going toe to toe with Buatsi and getting the crowd on their feet but, ultimately, he just didn't have enough to force the issue.

Buatsi is the new English and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion and should be named the mandatory challenger for the WBA light-heavyweight title, although that picture is clear as mud at the moment.

Thanks for joining us.

Former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Fair play Buatsi & Azeez. These are the fights boxing needs - when it’s done right it’s special. A serious fight."

Former world champion Hannah Rankin on X: "Great fight between Buatsi and Azeez , take a bow guys!"

That's the first defeat of Dan Azeez's career.

He had 20 victories in as many trips to the ring prior to this contest and has won all the domestic titles on the line along the way.

Azeez was just slightly off the pace tonight, he had some really good moments but just didn't string them together consistently enough.

There are plenty of other British light-heavyweight opponents out there for him.

Anthony Yarde or Callum Smith next time maybe?

Dan Azeez told Sky Sports: “He’s just the better man tonight. I can’t say one particular thing. Today he came and performed. He’s a great athlete inside and outside the ring. I respect him.”

“He’s won tonight, he deserves what’s coming next.”

New British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Joshua Buatsi told Sky Sports: “I’m very grateful to god. Dan [Azeez] and I would like to thank everyone for coming out. He pushed me every round, he’s a champion.

“I couldn’t have done it without Dan, it’s a pleasure to share the ring with him.”

“Dan was pounding my head. He made me fight every second. Dan, big up yourself.”

“This guy will give anyone a hard fight.”

On what is next with WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and WBO, IBF and WBC title-holder Artur Beterbiev set to meet in an undisputed contest on 1 June: “I’ll leave it to my training team. I want to put the spotlight on Dan, he pushed me. It was a great fight.”

Joshua Buatsi is the new mandatory challenger for the WBA light-heavyweight title.

Unfortunately, it was confirmed earlier tonight that WBA (Super) champion Dmitry Bivol is set to face WBO, IBF and WBC champion Artur Beterbiev in an undisputed contest on 1 June in Saudi Arabia.

Buatsi has done it.

He is the winner of the WBA light-heavyweight eliminator and takes Dan Azeez's British and Commonwealth titles in the process.

One judge scored it 116-110 with the other two scoring it 117-109.

Image source, Getty Images

Wow. That was fun.

I was struggling to score a few of those rounds but there were a good six or seven that I'm confident went the way of Buatsi.

You can never be too certain when it's left in the hands of the judges but surely this has to go in Buatsi's favour?

Image source, Getty Images

Buatsi sensed blood at the end of the last round and he comes out with intent early in this one.

Azeez is stunned by a left hook and then Buatsi digs into the body with a right.

Buatsi loops a left over the top and Azeez loses his footing again. He makes out that it's a slippy canvas rather than due to damage.

A big finish to the round as Buatsi catches Azeez flush on the cheek and he looks unsteady.

With 10 seconds left, Buatsi again says let's go to war and they both step forward and swing, although not a lot lands cleanly.

They embrace with a hug and show respect as the bell goes.

It was by no means easy but Conor Benn has just beaten American Peter Dobson in Las Vegas by unanimous points decision.

Benn started the fight with real intent, landing thudding blows but Dobson grew in confidence and landed some hard hits of his own.

The Briton landed more power punches and outworked his opponent to take his record to 23-0.

Matthew Macklin
Speaking on Sky Sports

I think Azeez slipped but a punch did land at the same time.

And he's down again as the bell goes at the end of the round.

Both times looked a bit like a slip, almost a dive they were that theatrical.

They will count as knockdowns though.

He was caught with a right hook on both occasions.

Image source, Getty Images

Azeez shells up as Buatsi tries to land a one-two to the head.

Buatsi walks to the middle and points to the canvas - let's get in on he gestures... and they do for a few seconds, both swinging wildly.

As the crowd rise to their feet the pair take a step back.

Azeez is down.

By no means is this a done deal, Azeez has definitely picked up some rounds along the way but I feel they were early in this contest.

"Forward, Dan" is the call from Azeez's corner.

He's not throwing caution to the wind yet but he is trying to force the tempo.

Buatsi throws two lefts to the body, those will take it out of you after 30 minutes of boxing.

It's a close round but Buatsi, as he has done a few times, ends with a clean left to the head of Azeez. It's those moments that are probably edging these tight rounds in his favour.

Trainer Buddy McGirt has told Dan Azeez in no uncertain terms what he needs to do now.

"You need to stay on him for the next three rounds, you hear me?"

I think we have the answer to whether or not that was a slip from Azeez as referee Bob Williams calls a timeout at the start of round nine. Williams grabs a towel to wipe up some water from a few different areas around the canvas.

The crowd grows restless and after that delay we are under way again.

Azeez is getting busy now. He's being a pest and staying in the face of Buatsi. There's no time to waste now for him.

He misses with an uppercut but connects with a left to the head.

Buatsi forces Azeez back with a left of his own.

Image source, Getty Images

Retired boxer Umar Sadiq on X: "Commentary ignoring Azeez’s great jabs, but such a close and entertaining fight so far."

Buatsi starts talking to Azeez in the ring as the first few seconds tick by in the round, I couldn't make out what he was saying sadly.

Azeez needs to start showing a bit more urgency here for me.

Like the last round, the output is a little lower and Buatsi is just doing enough.

Scratch that! It comes alive in the last 20 seconds. Azeez's back foot seemed to give way a bit - I'm not sure if it was just a slip - and Buatsi goes all-out.

Strong end to the round from Buatsi.

Time after time Buatsi is landing the same combination - right to the body and left hook to the head.

Azeez catches Buatsi on the way in with a straight right.

It's a tight and much quieter round but Buatsi ends it with a well-timed right hand to the head of Azeez.

Image source, Boxxer