The two Britons fought at the O2 Arena in London in a WBA eliminator that in theory sets up a title challenge against current champion Dmitry Bivol.

That fight might be tough to make with Bivol currently open to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez exercising a rematch clause as he pursues his second belt at 175lbs.

Regardless, the victory for Buatsi gives him potentially massive progress in his career, and Richards told DAZN after the fight that he believed he had the edge.

“I did. I thought I'd done enough,” he said in the ring.

“I was a bit disappointed. I thought I finished strong.”

However, he praised the winner, saying: “Credit to Joshua, a hell of a fighter. He got the nod today. Congratulations to him.”