The light heavyweight prospect, who won bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, earned a lot of fans with a dazzling first dozen fights as a professional.

However, illness last November scrapped his planned 13th bout before the COVID-19 pandemic extended his absence to well over a year.

"400 days and counting, man," said Buatsi at the final press conference ahead of his main event spotlight in Milton Keynes.

"I’m glad to be back, I’ve got a good opponent and I can’t wait to box again.

"We hope this is the start of something new all over again.

"My only goal right now is to win on Sunday. There’s nothing else I want to do right now, that’s all that matters.

"The question I’m asking myself is ‘how deep is your well?’ I ask myself that every morning and in every training session. He wants to win and I’ve got the same attitude. Right now I’m cool and calm but in the ring, I know what time it is.

"What I like to do is surpass expectations. Whatever it is that’s been placed upon me, I want to surpass it."

Tony Bellew, who challenged for world honors at light heavyweight in losing efforts to Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson before claiming the WBC title at cruiserweight, was co-presenting the press conference and is very excited to see Buatsi back.

"He’s the finest prospect we’ve had in the last 6-7 years," said Bellew. "He and Joe Cordina were the pick of that 2016 crop.

"I’ve got every hope for this young man, and there are a lot more people than me that have hope for him. He’s an old head on young shoulders. He doesn’t get caught up in all that nonsense. I expect nothing but fireworks from Joshua Buatsi.

"I’m worried about the 400 days out. He’ll probably take a few rounds to get that snap back in his punches. So it’s probably good that this one is a 12-rounder."

Bellew went on to admit that Calic strikes him as the ideal opponent when there is ring rust to consider and a strong chance of a slow start.

The Croatian, meanwhile, is relishing the huge opportunity in a bout where somebody's unbeaten record is likely to end.

"I’m ready," said Calic at the presser. "This is like a dream come true so I prepared myself well and after training for more than 12 years this is a big opportunity for me.

"I have a very good opponent so I will do my best and try to win, of course. All of us have weaknesses. I have them and he has them. But we will find out on Sunday.

"He’s the toughest test of my career, I’ve known him since the amateurs but I’m ready."

The Joshua Buatsi vs. Marko Calic card takes place on Sunday Oct. 4, live on Sky Sports in the U.K. and DAZN in the U.S.