Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that an offer has been made for Joshua Buatsi to fight Dmitry Bivol.
Bivol is a man in demand right now after his career enhancing win against Canelo Alvarez in May which saw him successfully retain his WBA Light Heavyweight title.
Buatsi, who beat former Bivol opponent Craig Richards by unanimous decision last time out in a WBA eliminator, is the number two contender for the Russian’s title. Pro Boxing Fans asked Hearn for an update on the state of play regarding the unbeaten Brit.
“We want Buatsi to fight Bivol.”
“We’ve made an offer now to Buatsi to fight Bivol which we want to make sure he’s happy with and hopefully we can make that fight. It’s not done yet; it’s not signed but we’re seeing if we can make the numbers work.”
“Callum Smith’s got a final eliminator for Beterbiev as well and everything’s coming together.”
Hearn confirmed that Smith’s next fight against Mathieu Bauderlique would take place on the Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia next month.
One stumbling block for Hearn and Buatsi could be Gilberto Ramirez. The former WBO Super Middleweight champion was made WBA mandatory challenger to Bivol after knocking out Dominic Boesel eight weeks ago and expects to be fighting the champion next.
In a recent press release the 31-year-old Mexican said:
“I appreciate the WBA and believe the right process will be followed.
“I’m confused about Bivol ducking me. I earned the WBA mandatory challenger position in the ring, not once, but twice. He’s been talking about fighting me for the last two years. It’s time.”