Callum Smith picked up arguably the best win of his career, and right when he needed it most, beating Joshua Buatsi today by decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Smith (31-2, 22 KO) won a decision on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and an absurd 119-110 from judge Steve Gray. Bad Left Hook unofficially scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 on two separate cards.
It was a terrific fight from both men, with Buatsi (19-1, 13 KO) staying game through a strong push early from the 34-year-old Smith, who had fallen badly short in his two biggest fights to date against Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev.
And Smith did tire in this one, with Buatsi, 31, hanging in and making a fight if not much argument of the result, though again, the 119-110 card was tremendously bad. The other two were in line with what most seemed to see in the bout.
For Smith, this could set him up for another crack at big gold at 175 lbs, and has him with a clear spot in line to either rematch Artur Beterbiev — whom Smith was kind of trounced by in early 2024 — or face Dmitry Bivol, depending on what happens in tonight’s main event.
Buatsi obviously suffers a clear setback, but also does so in a quality fight against a quality opponent, and with a good effort that he can be proud of when all is said and done. He’ll get a chance to get back in the mix sooner than later if he wants it.
“I felt I had to prove a lot of people wrong tonight,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a perfect performance. I took a few rounds off toward the end and lost my rhythm a little bit, my vision was a little bit impaired. But that’s boxing, you’ve got to get on with it, and I did.
“I thought I won comfortable enough. It was a good performance. Joshua Buatsi is a very, very good fighter, and I knew I had to be back towards my best, and I thought I was.”
