JOSHUA BUATSI surpassed Spider Richards to be light-heavy king in South London and closer to a title.
Croydon's 29 year-old ace beat his friend, Crystal Palace's, in 12 thrilling rounds. The judges scored the stunning action as 116-112, 115-23, 115-113 and 115-113.
Richards, 32, entered into the ring and the neighbourly respect was gone before the first bell.
Buatsi had already settled down in his corner after losing a coin toss. His nightmare neighbour entered the room and bounced against his ropes to make himself comfortable.
They did however cross paths, and Buatsi was eager to kick off early. Referee Howard Foster then placed himself perfectly between these imposing and fired up figures.
Just before the bell rang, Buatsi devoutly bowed to say one last prayer and then proceeded with Richards' rasping double-jabs.
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Richards was a success with arrow-like two-twos, but Buatsi had just shaved his face and let the shots fly off his face.
Buatsi then jumped into his "Just Business" manta just before the end of round and thumped bruising shot into Richards, who was then barrelled back into the ropes. He struggled under fire until the bell rang.
Richards' reputation of slow starts was evident as he was wacked and wobbled as soon the second began.
Spider managed to entangle his opponent in his gangly arms, and survived the punishment. Buatsi followed him around the O2 Ring trying to get rid of him.
FREE BETTING AND SIGN-UP DEALS - THE BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERINGSThe third round was brilliant. Buatsi put hooks into Richards' bodies, but Spider then landed a jab right-left-hook combination.
Buatsi performed a drunken dance pretending vulnerability while mocking his foe's strength.
Richards was visibly hurt, but he heard another Buatsi blast.
Richards seemed buzzed by a left hook to the temple at the beginning of round four, but his willowy frame was still there gunning right on the bell as the exciting pair went toe to toe and bobbed and wove while they fired heavy shots.
Richards was successful in the fifth, using a long righthand that he was thumping into Buatsi’s left ear.
JB then unleashed a dozen punch combination that seemed to get the job done. Richards' defense was able to deflect the worst.
Richards loved the sixth shot more than any other, but Buatsi threw up his hands and ordered him to "come on!"
Buatsi's US cerebral trainer Virgil Hunter was vocal during the seventh. He told Richards that Richards' eyes were swelling and asked his student to demonstrate his learning.
Buatsi, a Ghanaian-born man, was furious about two accidental low blows in round 8. Spider was warned.
Richards nearly won it, but the same honeyshot righthand he kept chaffing at Buatsi’s poorly placed left glove took the favourite of his senses.
Buatsi, dazed and confused, chose flight over fight and attacked instinctively. He showed great grit to survive his biggest fear of his career.
Both men required time to heal in the ninth after the brutal beatings they received and the subsequent absorbing of their blood.
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Buatsi lost his gumshield round 10, but Richards nearly lost the fight when the teeth-baring ace went wild.
Richards was a great defender, despite being shot from every angle.
Buatsi looked at Hunter in the eleventh, but he lost his focus. Richards then pinched him with another right-hand.
The final round was spectacular and the partisan crowd rose to their feet to thank them for all the blood, sweat, and bruises that they had shared.
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