Joshua Buatsi declares that he is ready for a world title fight next; But he knows he's a target too, and he is preparing himself for that: "This week all I'm doing is fortifying my mind "; Watch Joshua Buatsu vs Pawel Stepien this Saturday live on Sky Sports
Wednesday 3 May 2023 17:26, UK
Joshua Buatsi knows he is a target. The London light-heavyweight is determined to challenge for a world title himself, but his divisional rivals want to take their own shots at him.
The next man looking to halt Buatsi's rise is highly-ranked contender Pawel Stepien, who fights him this Saturday at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports.
"I'm on a lot of people's hitlist, but I've got armour on," Buatsi told Sky Sports News.
"My faith plays a big part so I'm good. My faith plays a massive, massive part. And this week, all I'm doing is fortifying my mind. Getting locked in in the beliefs I have in God and everything.
"The physical work has been done so right now for me, is to lock in the scriptures and what I believe in, I'm good."
Buatsi is unbeaten in 16 fights and the 30-year-old wants to box for a world title next, if he defeats Stepien on Saturday.
"The message is simple, we're ready," he declared. "We can get Ben [Shalom, his promoter] and let us know if it can happen or not.
"First and foremost I have to win. We'll get that out the way, but the message has been clear. As I've said, let's put a poll up, let the public pick who they want to see me with next and I'll get it done.
"But most importantly, I'm looking forward to Saturday."
He expects Poland's Stepien to give him a "tough, competitive fight".
"He's going to come to win, not just to show up," Buatsi said. "He will be determined. He'll know that if he gets the win, he'll be in a very good position and he's going to be determined.
"It makes him a dangerous fighter. But I'll be ready."
There is pressure on the Briton ahead of this fight, probably than he has ever experienced in his career so far.
But he says: "The most pressure that there is, is the one I've put on myself. The one that I've received from my training team as well, that's a lot of pressure.
"That comes with boxing, it's part of it, it comes with it. But when I'm in there one-on-one with Stepien, that's what it is, and we'll handle business."
There will be some enjoyment when it comes to that too.
"It's been a long time since I've worn 10oz gloves to go into a fight," he said with relish.
"To go and fight, to get my fight kit, to get a knock on the door to say: 'Josh, you're on in five minutes.' The lights will be bright, the announcement, I'm looking forward to all of that. I take it all in so I'm looking forward to it."
