Joshua Buatsi: How pride of Croydon plans to follow Anthony Joshua’s path to PPV stardom

Exclusive interview: The Olympic bronze medallist takes on Liam Conroy on Saturday for the British light heavyweight title

Joshua Buatsi senses a chance to become a star in boxing (Rex Features)

Joshua Buatsi’s intense focus is captured by the mellifluous beats of Drake, reverberating around his training base in Sheffield.

‘U With Me’ instantly takes the driven Buatsi back to a different world and time in Rio de Janeiro, where he captured Olympic bronze in 2016. The Ghanaian-born light heavyweight prospect is part of a gifted generation in Croydon, where he grew up from the age of nine.

Recently celebrated by Stormzy as part of a British collective who inspire the rapper, Buatsi, brimming with excitement, attempts to pinpoint just what has sparked such a swell in talent.

“It’s diverse with so many cultures and lifestyles,” Buatsi explains to The Independent. “People are becoming braver to do the extraordinary.

“They’re making it happen: Stormzy, Wilfried Zaha and many more talented people from other parts of London too.

“But there’s got to be something that’s making this happen. I’m just happy to be part of it.”

Buatsi has already left his mark in his hometown, even if he did not realise it at first glance when visiting a mural of himself a stone’s throw from Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park.

“I thought, ‘does that look like me?’ That was a good start,” Buatsi jokes. “But it was unexpected. You might see murals of other people and think, ‘that’s amazing, imagine what it’d be like to have your face up there.’

“It’s crazy, inspirational and gives me the drive and motivation to keep Croydon on the map. It shows people whatever area you’re from, you can get somewhere and be successful.

“Just give the time and dedication and be consistent. It’s inspirational, even though it’s of me, I’m inspired by it.”

Buatsi idolised legendary heavyweight Joe Frazier while learning his craft, the man Muhammad Ali once called “the toughest man in the world.” Smokin’ Joe was renowned for being able to endure considerable punishment and persevere, yet Buatsi has so far not been required to show his mettle at such an early stage of his career.

Having blitzed all who have stepped in the ring with him, including three consecutive first round knockouts, it would be understandable if Buatsi felt an element of doubt ahead of inevitable adversity down the road, yet he is hungry for a taste when it comes.

“It’s my mindset,” Buatsi insists. “It was the mentality from the amateurs. When I lost, my coaches would ask me why and never once did I say somebody was better than me.

“Maybe I can say they boxed better than me on the night, but never can I say somebody is better than me. That was installed in me from the genesis, so it’s hard for me to come up with a reason why I’d lose a fight. There’s no excuse or reason not to win.”

And win he must, if he is to fulfil his bountiful potential. Not only is he expected to become a world champion, but establish himself as an attraction: a pay-per-view star.

With Tony Bellew, James DeGale and George Groves, who recently sparred with Buatsi, all retiring recently, there is a noticeable void behind mentor Anthony Joshua as the major headline acts of British boxing.

Stopping short of arrogance, Buatsi acknowledges he ought to dispatch Conroy at the Copper Box this weekend, craving the feeling of “being active” in every round to capitalise on his opponent’s mistakes to close the show prematurely.

Joshua Buatsi faces Liam Conroy for the British title on Saturday (Getty)

Buatsi maintains a thirst for “drama,” as it was maniacally put by Gennady Golovkin in broken English many years ago. Aware that winning is not enough, Buatsi aims to thrill an audience now hungry for a new idol.

“I’m aware of it, there’s a little gap for the new guys on the scene,” Buatsi says. “Myself, other guys from the Olympics, also Jordan Gill.

“It’s something I want to take. There’s a lot of work to make it, but I’ll do my best to fill that gap.

“Who wouldn’t want to be a PPV star and an attraction? Everybody knowing you. You have to win and entertain, and I think I’m very capable of that.”