Joshua vs Takam: Joshua Buatsi goes the distance as he dominates Saidou Sall
Sunday 29 October 2017 00:05, UK
Joshua Buatsi went the scheduled distance for the first time in his career but still remains unbeaten after dominating Saidou Sall at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist did have his French opponent on the canvas in the closing moments of the contest, but Sall valiantly returned to his feet to hear the final bell.
Buatsi, who moves to 3-0 in his career, controlled the fight from the first bell to the last, landing a series of eye-catching uppercuts and punishing body shots on his way to victory.
The Croydon light-heavyweight started the six-round bout in a typically composed fashion, taking his time and wielding in punishing right hooks to the body.
In the second, the 24-year-old started to go through the gears, following a rocking straight right hand with a beautiful left uppercut that left Sall stumbling back towards the ropes.
Buatsi continued to find a home for the uppercut, but Sall was proving determined and resilient, occasionally landing a left hand of his own.
Despite his inexperience, the unbeaten Londoner was showing no signs of being overwhelmed by the stadium event, continuing to walk his man down and fire away with the right hand.
As the fight reached its final period, Buatsi went on the hunt for a stoppage victory and after a heavy onslaught in the corner, a straight right followed by a left to the body finally had Sall on the canvas.
With only seconds left on the clock though, the 33-year-old was able to return to his feet to hear the bell.
Afterwards, Buatsi said: "I racked up the rounds, I will take positives and negatives from that.
"I've been working hard, there are more improvements to come and loads more to adjust to. People will see that I am made for this game.
"I'm next out on the Bellew-Haye II undercard on December 17."
