Craig Richards says it is “inevitable” that the winner between himself and Joshua Buatsi will go on to a world title fight.
The two Brits have been heavily linked to facing one another in April or May in a domestic light-heavyweight clash.
Richards ranked seventh by the WBA, four places behind Buatsi, challenged their champion Dmitry Bivol last May. Although the fight didn’t go the challenger’s away losing on points the performance was enough to see his reputation grow and credibility enhanced.
Buatsi is also placed in the top five with the three other governing bodies but is yet to be at the level Richards has been involved in. The Olympian’s best win to date was against the dangerous Latvian Ricards Bolotniks last August before injury forced him to withdraw from a fight against former world title challenger Maxim Vlasov.
“I think it’s a good time for me and him to cross paths.,” Richards told Boxing Social.
“We’re both knocking on the door for a world title, so I think the winner, it’s inevitable, goes on to get a world title shot. It’s an important fight for both of us and I’m sure we’re both going to bring our A-game.”