Smokin’ Josh lands a blow for GB boxers

JOSH BUATSI’S thunderclap of a second straight knockout did more than just stop the rot for Britain’s boxers in Rio. It gave us all a dazzling glimpse of a star in the making. The late great Joe Frazier, this young Londoner’s hero, would have been proud of all three knockdowns inflicted by Buatsi (below) on the third seed in his light-heavyweight division. Especially the last which finished off Uzbekistan’s Elshod Rasulov, a three-punch combination of such devastating power that it may well be the prelude to a gold medal. If he carries on like this he can attach the prefix Smokin’ to his name, confident that Frazier would have approved. Buatsi, with his solid style and killer instinct, is destined for a bright future as a professional even if he fails to win this tournament. He came into this secondround fight burdened by the task of ending Britain’s sorry run of five defeats. He left the Olympic ring to the roars of the crowd and the gratitude of his team-mates. He said: ‘I was feeling the pressure and that made me absolutely nervous going in. It’s sad for me to see my friends lose and it hurts me. We do everything together here. ‘I’m really glad that I’ve been able to give the team a boost. There’s nothing like a knockout. Although I wasn’t expecting one against this guy. Not until I knew I had hurt him.’ Thank goodness he elected to box for Britain rather Ghana, his country of birth. Buatsi, who moved to England with his parents at the age of seven, was offered a place on the Ghanaian team but said: ‘I was tempted but my coaches advised me to be patient and wait. I’m pleased they did. England is my home and I am a much better boxer now than I was four years ago.’ One more win and Buatsi, who stopped Uganda’s Kennedy Katende in his opening fight, will be guaranteed at least bronze as a semi-finalist. His path to the final looks inviting and even the Cuban he would be most likely to meet there, Julio Cesar La Cruz, will be wary of Buatsi now.