Joshua Buatsi Set For February Return

By Elliot Foster

Joshua Buatsi will return to the ring next year.

The Olympian, who represented Team GB at the 2016 Games in Rio, had been set to appear on Wednesday’s York Hall card, live on Sky Sports.

But after a problem with his hand put paid to the 24-year-old having a fourth professional outing, it is expected that he will be back in the first quarter of 2018.

Buatsi signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom back in June after last year’s Olympics and made his professional bow in July.

He then boxed on a JDNXTGEN card at York Hall before starring on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF, WBA Super and IBO world heavyweight title defence against Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 28, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Hearn and Matchroom have February 3 rubber-stamped for the O2 Arena in London and Boxing Scene understands that Buatsi will make his comeback from injury on that card.

IN OTHER NEWS: Middleweight prospect, Marcos "Madman" Hernandez (10-1, 2 KOs), makes his way back to the ring this Friday, December 15th, against Oscar Mora (7-4, 6 KOs).  The 6-round bout will take place at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, CA, on the Vargas vs. Herrera card.
 
Hernandez, who is coming off an impressive victory against previously unbeaten prospect, Kevin Newman II (7-1-1, 3 KOs), is wrapping up the final days of training camp with coach Henry Ramierz.
 
"I had a great training camp going into this fight." said Marcos Hernandez. "I'm very grateful to be fighting one more time before the end of the 2017.  Since my lone loss earlier this year, I've really stepped up my game in all aspects.  Training with Henry Ramierz has been a big boost to my career.  I'm going to be well prepared for anything Mora brings to the ring.  The move to middleweight has been good and I'm feeling a lot stronger.  Fans can expect me to throw a lot of punching in this fight.  It's time to shine."