CALLUM Smith defeated Joshua Buatsi by unanimous decision after 12 rounds of thrilling action, the likes of which would’ve graced an appreciative arena in Liverpool, London or Manchester rather than the echoes of Riyadh. The judges handed in scores of 119-110, 115-113 and 116-112, all in favour of the new WBO Interim light-heavyweight champion.
The pair wasted little time getting stuck in as Buatsi’s jab and Smith’s body punches found their ranges. Smith’s knees just sagged for a second in the third round as Buatsi landed a skimming left hook to the stomach.
Referee Howard Foster and Smith shared a brief glance after the incident. Smith exited the fourth with a cut right eye, deemed a head clash by Mr Foster. Screaming at Buatsi that he was 5-0 down, Virgil Hunter asked his man if he could close the show. “Watch!” replied Buatsi after the fifth.
Buatsi entered a crisis period in the sixth as Smith landed a thumping right hand that had the Londoner reeling and rocking. Buatsi somehow made it to the end of the session, out on his feet, before turning it all around with a left hook that made Smith step back. It was a round to remember as the clash veered into Fight of the Year territory.
Neglecting his jab, Buatsi was trading on toughness, ignoring the corner instructions of step off and jab. Smith’s right hand re-launched in round nine as Buatsi meandered into range with little defensive nous.
Buatsi turned the tables in round 10 as a body shot hurt Smith. The Liverpool man fired back with a right hook of epic proportions. Buatsi needed to throw caution to the wind in the 11th and 12th but he was too tired to capitalise. Smith landed the harder, heavier shots in round 12 as Buatsi’s gumshield went flying once again. It was a great fight.
Callum Smith improved to 31-2 (22 KOs), with his two defeats coming to Canelo and Artur Beterbiev. Joshua Buatsi was defeated for the first time, falling to 19-1 (13 KOs).
