Top light heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi expects a lot of fireworks when he collides in the ring with South London rival Dan Azeez.

The battle of unbeatens will establish a mandatory challenger to WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol.

Both boxers have signed on for the bout - with a date being targeted to take place in the fall.

"It's a very, very important fight, there's a lot at stake and the winner will go on to fight for a world title," Buatsi told Sky Sports. "I'm No 1, he's No 2 in the WBA. One and two fight for the mandatory, it makes sense.

"What's at stake, at this point in our careers, we can put aside our friendship for 12 rounds or less, have a fight."

The two fighters have been friendly and know each other, but Buatsi indicates that it won't stop him for going for the kill when they collide in the ring.

"It's the only way I think," Buatsi said. "You guys are talking about the switch [in character] that you see, it's going to apply whenever. It's going to apply again, it's nothing different."

He also expects Azeez to come in the ring with aggressive intentions - and Buatsi is very much in favor of having a tear-up in the squared circle. 

"Of course, he is. And I embrace that. It'll be good, it'll bring the best out of me and it'll make it an entertaining fight," Buatsi said. "If people fight fire with fire, I'm always up for that.

"People know how Dan fights, people know how I fight so if you're looking at it you're going to think this is going to be a good fight, they're both going to bring it, both from south London.

"I improve every time. Every performance he has, he is getting better and better. I think however it works out the fans are going to be in for a good fight."