Eddie Hearn: Callum Johnson And Joshua Buatsi Could Fight For A World Title

By FIGHTSPORTS May 29, 2020

In his attempt to create some of the top fights for his promotion, Eddie Hearn is interested in booking an all-England bout for Matchroom Boxing.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Hearn discussed the idea of light-heavyweight champions Callum Johnson and Joshua Buatsi squaring off down the line.

“With the environment that we’re in, two Brits facing each other? It could be the way we end up going,” Hearn stated. I don’t really like making fights between two of our own guys. But I understand that Johnson vs Buatsi is a fantastic all-British fight. It could be for a world title. In the short-term it could be for a European title.

“I know Johnson and Buatsi like this fight.”

Johnson (18-1) recently spoke on “The Lockdown Tapes” podcast and talked about how a fight with Buatsi (12-0) is always on the table. He was originally scheduled to face Igor Mikhalkin for the vacant EBU European Light-Heavyweight Championship on May 2. The fight was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. A Commonwealth and British Light-Heavyweight Champion Johnson faced Artur Beterbiev for the IBF Light-heavyweight Title in 2018, losing via knockout in the fourth round.

Buatsi (12-0) won the WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title in a bout against Andrejs Pokumeiko. He has defended it four times, last beating Ryan Ford in August via KO.

Hearn went on to say that both fighters could end up fighting for a world title, or a European Championship. The trifecta would be something Johnson has stated would be a dream for him. Hearn took a look at both fighters and assessed the risks involved in a bout like the one they want.

“It’s risky for both,” Hearn went on to say. “Risky for Johnson because he’s looking for a world-title shot and would be fighting an undefeated domestic contender. Risky for Buatsi because Johnson is world-level and he hasn’t boxed at that level again.”

As far as who he believes can win an eventual clash between the two, Hearn is fascinated by the matchup. He doesn’t give a clear winner but discussed what makes both tick.

“Johnson is a dark horse – he went into the Beterbiev fight without the momentum that we would have liked,” Hearn said. “Everybody else said no, he said yes… He’s in a great position and I really believe he can win a world title. He’s already proved that he can hang with the best.”

“Buatsi is a guy who needs to move along fast in the next 12-18 months. He is extremely intelligent and knows that you’ve got to make the right moves and the right time.”