The highly-rated British Light-Heavyweight, Joshua Buatsi, has just barely signed with Boxxer after leaving Matchroom – following a dispute over contracts – and has already been set up with a new opponent for him to fight. The second-best Polish Light-Heavyweight, Pawel Stepien, will be the Brit’s new opponent, but questions arise on whether this is a step up, or a step down, for Joshua Buatsi.

Having fought his way to become the #1 contender on the WBA’s 175 lbs rankings, Joshua Buatsi’s (16-0, 13 KO’s) former promoter, Eddie Hearn, had detailed an offer he had sent to the British fighter that would see him face Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KO’s) in a multi-fight contract. As Buatsi was approaching free agency, the Brit decided to go another route by joining Boxxer and Sky Sports, and has apparently settled to fight the relatively unknown Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KO’s).

Stepien’s resume is rather weak, with his last opponent – who he fought in August of 2023 – having had a record of 6-7. He has shown some promise with a win – a year ago in March – over the third-best Argentinian in the division , Ezequiel Osvaldo (29-10, 19 KO’s), but has yet to truly test himself thus making Buatsi undoubtedly the best fighter he has faced so far.

Though Pawel Stepien currently ranks as #6 on the IBF’s 175 lbs ranking boards, Buatsi is arguably taking a step back since increasingly fighting higher-ranked opponents since he fought Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8 KO’s) in 2021, to eventually face former world title challenger and fellow Brit, Craig Richards (17-3-1, 10 KO’s).

While Stepien is not exactly a journeyman or low-tier fighter, it does lead to some questions to Buatsi who had previously claimed to want to fight anyone, including the world champions of his division. After turning down his contract with Matchroom and DAZN, an impression was left that he would continue his chase for a world title.

His choice of opponent doesn’t necessarily indicate that Joshua Buatsi might not yet feel ready to face Bivol, as his #1 position in the rankings might not change any time soon, and Pawel Stepien might just be a “tune-up” of sorts before he believes he is ready to face any of the champions in the division.