Summary

  • Joshua Buatsi beats fellow Londoner Dan Azeez in light-heavyweight contest at Wembley Arena

  • Underdog Azeez dropped twice in round eleven of gruelling fight

  • All three judges score fight for Buatsi - 116-110,117-109 & 117-109

  • Buatsi extends perfect record to 18-0 and secures South London bragging rights

  • Azeez suffers first career defeat, but praised Buatsi as "better man" and "great athlete"

  • Buatsi set to become mandatory challenger to Dmitry Bivol's WBA (Super) title

  • Routine wins for Adam Azim, Ben Whittaker and Caroline Dubois on the undercard

  • Get involved #bbcboxing

  1. Del Boy in attendancepublished at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    A certain Derek Chisora is a man in demand here in Wembley. He was stopped every few seconds by fans wanting a photo as he made his way to his seat. You never quite know what mood you will catch 'Del Boy' in but he was more than happy to oblige.

    Plenty of the Boxxer stable are also here, including WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith, his next opponent Richard Riakporhe and heavyweight contender Frazer Clarke.

  2. WBA champion Bivol next up for winner?published at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Graphic of the WBA light heavyweight rankings with champion Dmitry Bivol in the backgroundImage source, Getty Images

    Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez have taken very different routes to get to this stage of their career.

    Buatsi is an Olympic bronze medallist and has won all 17 trips to the ring since turning professional.

    Azeez also boasts a perfect professional record, picking up 20 wins and winning Southern Area, English, Commonwealth and European titles along the way.

    Both have their sights set on a world title and are ranked highly among all of the four major organisations - WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF.

    The winner will be in line for a shot at WBA (Super) champion Dmitry Bivol, although they will have to be patient with the Russian now confirmed to be fighting WBO, WBC and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev in an undisputed contest on 1 June in Saudi Arabia.

  3. A win for showman Whittakerpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker is a pure showman. He danced, goaded his opponent and entertained the crowd before stopping Khalid Graidia in the fifth round.

    Bigger tests await, but you can't take your eye off him.

  4. Postpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    We're not too far away from tonight's main event - Joshua Buatsi v Dan Azeez.

    Next up is the chief support with Adam Azim making the first defence of his European light-welterweight title against Denmark's Enock Poulsen.

    I'll keep you updated with how that fight plays out.

  5. Undisputed heavyweight clash rescheduledpublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Tyson Fury (left) and Oleksandr Usyk (right) put their heads togetherImage source, Getty Images

    Speaking of postponements...

    It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we heard the news that the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk won't be taking place as scheduled on 17 February.

    WBC champion Fury suffered a large cut above his eye in training and he required "urgent medical attention" and "significant stitching".

    It hasn't taken long for a new date to be confirmed with an announcement made at around 19:30 GMT tonight.

    The first undisputed title fight in the heavyweight division in the four-belt era has been rescheduled for 18 May in Saudi Arabia.

    Read more here.

  6. 'Frustrating but it happens'published at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Joshua Buatsi hold his hands up by his headImage source, Getty Images

    British rivals Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez were originally set to meet on October 21.

    But just four days out from that bout, which was due to take place at London's O2 Arena, Azeez suffered a back injury in training and the fight was postponed.

    Speaking to on the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast, Buatsi, who has at times questioned the legitimacy of that injury, admitted to feeling frustrated at having to do two camps to prepare for Azeez.

    Buatsi, 30, said: “I’m not the first person it’s happened to.

    "It’s happened to a lot of people. Of course it was upsetting. A bitter pill to swallow. Look man, time goes on. I had a few weeks off then straight back to camp.

    "Thankfully I’ve got a very good coach and team who structured my training. I feel we’ve done the work. Of course it was frustrating but it happens."

  7. Dubois outpoints Reyes in shutout winpublished at 21:15 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    Earlier tonight, undefeated lightweight Caroline Dubois was made to work hard against the game Miranda Reyes. It was far from clinical but the Londoner banked some important rounds as she defended her IBO world title with a unanimous points win.

    All three judges scored it 100-90, but Dubois looked disappointed and frustrated with herself at the end of the fight.

    Before the scorecards were even read out, coach Shane McGuigan was shadow boxing in the corner – showing his fighter where she went wrong.

    Caroline Dubois punches her opponent on the chinImage source, Boxxer
  8. What you've missed so far...published at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    We're well under way with tonight's card, so let's get you up to speed with what you've missed.

    It has been a good night for the Brits with a clean sweep so far.

    Francesca Hennessy moved to 3-0 after beating Laura Belen Valdebenito on points, while Jeamie TKV returned to the win column with a points win against Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko.

    Caroline Dubois with her IBO lightweight title around her waistImage source, Boxxer

    Caroline Dubois came through the first defence of her IBO lightweight title against Miranda Reyes, winning by unanimous decision.

    Ben Whittaker cruised to victory against Khalid Graidia, stopping the Swiss-based French fighter in round five.

  9. Friends or foes?published at 21:12 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    Good evening from Wembley's OVO Arena. Tonight we have a match-up which is made for the boxing purist.

    Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez share a friendship which goes beyond the hundreds of rounds they’ve sparred over the years. The South London lads hang around in the same circles. Buatsi was saying they recently bumped into a mutual friends’ birthday party and were regularly exchanging WhatsApp messages up until late last year.

    But after Azeez’s withdrawal in October, the friendship has turned just a little sour. Buatsi questioned why Azeez would be suffering an injury in fight week. Azeez was offended at the suggestion his injury might not be authentic and called Buatsi a "diva" and "cry baby"... yep, he went there.

  10. Welcome along!published at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Joshua Buatsi (left) and Dan Azeez (right) stand side by side and hold a fist upImage source, Boxxer

    I am excited for this one!

    We finally get to see light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez get in the ring together for a WBA title eliminator at OVO Arena in London.

    They were scheduled to meet in October at the O2 Arena but Azeez pulled out with a back injury.

    Azeez is now fully recovered and the pair, who at one time were sparring partners and even spent time together socially as friends, have one final obstacle to overcome to achieve their goal of getting a shot at a world title.

    Both are unbeaten but one will leave with a loss on their record tonight.

    Did I mention that I'm excited for this one?