I like Buatsi...really likable and humble guy but damn, he stands straight up and has no head movement and doesn't slip punches. He should add to his high guard defense with moving his head and slipping more. He needs a new trainer to bring out the best in him.
so far buatsi is able to get through with mostly because of his offense. His opponents so far were not able to deal with his offense, but when he starts to fight guys who can avoid his punches and have decent offense on their own, he will have some big trouble.
Closing distance in straight lines with no head and upper body movement wont work against top fighters.
Recorded this and just watched it. Buatsi still hits hard and is a great finisher but I think this fight exposed severe holes in his defense. The guy he fought was tall and long and wasn't afraid to let his hands go but otherwise was nothing special. Commentators name dropping the likes of Joe Smith, Callum Johnson and Beterbiev after the fight, and I'm near certain that all three of those would murder him based on their most recent showings vs. this one.
Definitely a work in progress, not ready at all. He needs this sort of work out doe. That no head movement thing is shocking from Joshua.
That has actually been obvious from the start, it's just he had not faced anyone that could fight back or had a legitimate training camp. I still want to see him in with Johnson sometime next year. Buatsi dug deep and got the job done, so fair play to him. Is he ready for Beterbiev and Bivol like Hearn was saying earlier this year? Of course not, but a fight vs Yarde would certainly be intriguing. I haven't liked the way Buatsi has been moved thus far in his career. This was the perfect type of fight he needed so hopefully going forward he is kept busy and in with fighters that could test him. Still have solid hopes for him going forward.
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