FIRST LONDON, NOW THE WORLD

Buatsi wins his capital scrap with Richards and now wants a world title fight against Bivol

JOSHUA BUATSI claims he is ready to conquer the world after proving he is the king of South London.

Buatsi won his local derby and title eliminator with Craig Richards at the O2 in London by a unanimous points decision and now wants WBA Super light-heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol. Bivol is waiting to hear if Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will next attempt to avenge his shock defeat by him (right) or face Gennady Golovkin in their trilogy for the undisputed middleweight title.

Promoter Eddie Hearn (above centre, with Richards and Buatsi) would love to give the Brit a shot at Bivol at the O2 later this year if Canelo chooses Golovkin. “I wouldn’t say no,” said Buatsi. “I’ll let Eddie and my coach say what they want to say and, if they say yes, I’ll have it. I want the world title next and I want to fight for it here.

“We’ve made it very clear and we’re ready.”

Hearn promotes Canelo and says the legendary Mexican should choose his next opponent this week.

“I spoke to Canelo on Friday and we’re talking on Monday to see what’s next,” said the Matchroom chief. We know the GGG fight is there for undisputed, it’s the trilogy, it’s probably the only chance we’ve got to make that fight.

“But he’s desperate to fight Dmitry Bivol and I think he will only fight GGG next if he fights Dmitry Bivol after that.

“We’ll talk to him on Monday and we will look to make a decision next week.

If he fights GGG, Bivol would be looking for a big fight and I’ve love to bring Bivol-buatsi to the O2. That would be incredible.”

Buatsi, 29, improves to 16-0 and trainer Virgil Hunter feels the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist needs at least one more fight before facing Bivol.

“There are some things we should work on and give him the opportunity not just to fight for a belt, but win and keep that belt,” said the American.

“Before you fight for a title, you want to see him close the show. Rounds 10, 11, 12 close it, dominate it, then he’s ready for a world title shot.

“We want him to be complete when he goes for that title.”

Buatsi (above, in the white shorts) dominated the opening rounds against 32-year-old Richards with his strength and accuracy, and the former world title challenger, who lost to Bivol a year ago, did not get going until the fifth.

He hurt Buatsi in the eighth with a big right hand, but Buatsi finished strongly, landing cleaner shots, to take the fight 116-112, 115113 twice on the scorecards.

Richards said: “I thought I did enough, I’m a bit disappointed but, credit to Josh, he’s a hell of a fighter.”