Joshua Buatsi keen to box in Ghana one day but focus is on Craig Richards fight

Joshua Buatsi dreams of taking world title fights to Ghana one day but insisted his attentions are fixed on the “most important test of my career” against Craig Richards.

Buatsi, who was born in Ghana but moved to the UK aged nine with his family, claimed Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 and has made a favourable impression since turning professional, winning all 15 fights.

He faces arguably his toughest test in former world title challenger Richards this weekend, with local pride at stake for south Londoners who started boxing at the same South Norwood and Victory ABC club.

While Buatsi is confident he is now ready for the light-heavyweight’s elite, he knows he cannot afford to overlook Richards, who was narrowly outpointed by WBA champion Dmitry Bivol 12 months ago.

Asked if he feels he is ready for a world title shot, Buatsi told the PA news agency: “I do. The aim is to handle the business and then move on from that.

“But this is the most important test of my career. Would I say it’s the toughest? I would dub it as the most important, it’s the next fight and one that I have to win.”

Buatsi is one of Britain’s top prospects but is also proud of his Ghanaian roots, having spent many of his formative years in Tema, a short distance from the capital city of Accra, and he regularly visits his many relatives who still live there.

So while boxing on the biggest stages in Britain is in his sights, he also finds the idea of a big fight night in Ghana very appealing.

The 29-year-old said: “The obvious one is Wembley and the States. For me, I want to box in Ghana one day. You’re allowed to dream.

“It’s a place that I’m from, I’m deeply connected to it. I remember what it was like growing up there, I’m going out there in a few weeks’