Joshua Buatsi Batters Marco Antonio Periban For Fourth Round Tko Win

On June 1, 2019, Madison Square Garden pulsed with energy as Joshua Buatsi, the rising British light-heavyweight star, faced Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban in a scheduled 10-round bout on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr. The atmosphere was electric, with a diverse crowd of boxing aficionados and casual fans filling the iconic venue, their anticipation heightened by the main event’s global stakes. Buatsi, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist with a pristine 10-0 (8 KOs) record, entered as the favourite, defending his WBA International Light Heavyweight title. Periban, a seasoned veteran with a 25-4-1 (16 KOs) ledger, hadn’t fought in two years, making his return a gamble against a younger, fresher opponent. The clash promised a test of Buatsi’s burgeoning skill against Periban’s ring-hardened experience, and the result—a fourth-round TKO, cemented Buatsi’s reputation as a devastating finisher. With scorecards unanimously reading 30-27 in Buatsi’s favour at the stoppage, referee Tony Chiarantano’s intervention underscored the one-sided nature of the contest, though not without moments of tactical intrigue.

Buatsi’s approach was aggressive from the opening bell, showcasing the blend of speed, power, and precision that had marked him as a prospect to watch. His orthodox stance allowed him to leverage his right hand, which became the defining weapon of the night. In the first round, Buatsi’s combinations overwhelmed Periban, whose defensive work appeared rusty after his long layoff. A controversial moment came early when Buatsi landed a right hand that Periban claimed struck the back of his head, though the referee deemed it legal. This set the tone for Buatsi’s relentless pressure, as he targeted both head and body, aiming to break down the Mexican’s guard. Periban, a former super middleweight title challenger, showed flashes of resilience, landing a few thudding body shots that briefly slowed Buatsi’s advance. However, the Brit’s superior hand speed and footwork kept him a step ahead, dictating the pace. By the second round, Buatsi’s left hooks began finding their mark, forcing Periban to retreat to the ropes, though the veteran’s experience allowed him to survive the early onslaught. Punch stats, though not officially reported, likely favoured Buatsi heavily, given observers’ descriptions of his dominance in exchanges.

The third round marked a turning point, as Buatsi’s confidence grew and Periban’s defensive lapses became more apparent. An overhand right from Buatsi rocked Periban with about two minutes left, sending a ripple of excitement through the Madison Square Garden crowd. The shot didn’t floor Periban, but it visibly shook him, his legs betraying a momentary wobble. Buatsi, sensing vulnerability, pressed forward but showed a touch of impatience, as he later admitted in post-fight comments: “I rushed my work. I was too eager.” This eagerness led to a few wild swings, which Periban countered with short, desperate flurries. Despite these efforts, Periban’s punches lacked the power to deter Buatsi, who absorbed them with little concern. The scorecards, 30-27 across the board from judges Bernard Bruni, Tom Carusone, and Jim Pierce, reflected Buatsi’s control, awarding him every round. Periban’s two-year hiatus was evident; his timing and reflexes couldn’t match the 26-year-old’s dynamism, and the physical toll of moving up to light heavyweight likely compounded his struggles.

The fourth round delivered the fight’s climax, a sequence that showcased Buatsi’s predatory instincts. Early in the round, a looping right hand to the side of Periban’s head sent him to one knee at the 2:14 mark, prompting a quick count from referee Tony Chiarantano. Periban rose, protesting that the punch had clipped the back of his head, but the referee waved him on. Buatsi, undeterred, unleashed a barrage, pinning Periban against the ropes. A final right hand knocked Periban off balance, his body sagging as he stumbled forward. Chiarantano, recognizing Periban’s inability to defend himself, halted the fight at 1:39 of the round, awarding Buatsi a TKO victory. The stoppage was decisive, though some critics, like Boxing News 24’s Mike Smith, noted Buatsi’s use of borderline tactics, including a forearm and possible rabbit punches. “He was slippery, but once I hurt him, it was time,” Buatsi said post-fight, acknowledging Periban’s early elusiveness but emphasizing his own inevitability. The win moved Buatsi to 11-0 (9 KOs), while Periban fell to 25-5-1 (16 KOs), his second career knockout loss.

The fight’s broader context added weight to Buatsi’s performance. Competing on a card headlined by Anthony Joshua, his promoter and mentor, Buatsi seized the opportunity to shine on a global stage. Madison Square Garden dubbed the “Mecca of Boxing,” amplified the moment, with promoter Eddie Hearn praising the bout as a “perfect test” for the Croydon native. Periban, despite his inactivity, brought a resume that included battles against Badou Jack and James DeGale, making the victory a meaningful step for Buatsi in the competitive light heavyweight division. However, analysts noted areas for improvement, particularly Buatsi’s defence, which left him open to Periban’s occasional counters. Buatsi himself rated his performance modestly, saying, “Harsh to say, but maybe just under a five.” The crowd, buzzing with Mexican support for Periban and Ruiz, roared for Buatsi’s finish, though the undercard’s energy was soon overshadowed by Ruiz’s stunning upset of Joshua later that night.