Friday 16 August 2019 10:34, UK
Joshua Buatsi will defend his WBA international light-heavyweight title against Ryan Ford on the undercard of the huge lightweight title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell at The O2 in London on August 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Buatsi (11-0, 9 KOs) was last seen taking out Marco Antonio Periban in four rounds on the Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr bill at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, marking his big US debut with a ruthless stoppage win.
Ford, a former opponent of Fedor Chudinov and Avni Yildrim, has never been stopped in 20 career fights and the former MMA fighter, hailing from Edmonton in Canada, picked up the WBC international silver light-heavyweight title in his last fight.
"I'm fighting a tough, durable opponent on August 31 in the form of Ryan Ford," said Buatsi. "He's never been stopped in his 20 professional fights and he's got some good experience against some top names. He's an ex MMA fighter so he'll know how to handle himself.
"If I can become the first fighter to stop him then I'll be very happy. As always, it's about getting the win at all costs. I'm there to get the job done and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Buatsi vs Ford is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.
At the top of the bill, Olympic champions Vasiliy Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) and Luke Campbell (20-2, 16 KOs) will clash for the WBC, WBA, WBO and lightweight world titles and Hughie Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) takes on former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (34-2, 24 KOs).
WBC flyweight ruler Charlie Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs) makes the second defence of his crown against Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs).
Joe Cordina (9-0, 7 KOs) defends his British and Commonwealth lightweight titles against Gavin Gwynne (11-0, 1 KO) in a mouth-watering battle of Wales and Hartlepool star Savannah Marshall (6-0, 4 KOs) makes her highly-anticipated Matchroom Boxing debut.
Watch Joshua Buatsi against Ryan Ford on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Luke Campbell bill at The O2 on August 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
