Callum Smith Claims Interim WBO Light Heavyweight Title, Beats Buatsi

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Post on Feb 23, 2025

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Smith Silences Buatsi, Claims Interim WBO Light Heavyweight Title

London, England – Callum Smith emphatically solidified his position as a top light heavyweight contender, securing a unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated challenger, Anthony Buatsi, on Saturday night at the O2 Arena. The win earned Smith the interim WBO light heavyweight title, setting him up for a potential showdown with the reigning champion, Artur Beterbiev.

The fight, a clash of styles and power, saw Smith, the taller fighter, utilize his superior reach and jab effectively to control the distance throughout the 12 rounds. Buatsi, known for his aggressive style and devastating power, struggled to close the gap and land significant blows consistently. While Buatsi displayed flashes of brilliance, landing some heavy shots in the later rounds, Smith's consistent pressure and calculated aggression ultimately proved too much.

The judges’ scorecards reflected the fight's narrative: 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113, all in favor of Smith. This decisive victory marked a significant turning point in Smith's career, having previously competed at super-middleweight, where he held the WBA (Super) title. The move to light heavyweight appears to be a shrewd one, allowing him to leverage his size and reach advantage against opponents.

"It was a tough fight, Buatsi is a warrior," Smith acknowledged in his post-fight interview. "He’s a great fighter, and he hit me with some good shots. But I felt I controlled the fight with my jab and used my range effectively. I’m delighted to win the interim title, and now I’m looking forward to fighting for the full belt."

Buatsi, clearly disappointed but gracious in defeat, conceded Smith's superior performance. "Callum was the better man tonight," he stated. "He boxed cleverly, and I couldn't quite get inside to land the shots I wanted. I'll learn from this and come back stronger."

The victory catapults Smith into a prime position for a world title shot. While Beterbiev holds the WBO title, the interim belt secured by Smith virtually guarantees him a future fight against the champion, pending any unforeseen circumstances. The timing of that fight remains uncertain, but with both fighters under the promotional banner of Matchroom Boxing, a potential clash could be arranged relatively quickly.

This fight served as a reminder of Smith’s boxing prowess and adaptability. His move to light heavyweight isn't just a shift in weight class but a strategic recalibration of his career, showcasing his ambition and determination to reach the pinnacle of the sport. The path to becoming a world champion at 175 pounds is paved with challenges, but with his interim title victory, Callum Smith has firmly planted his flag in the light heavyweight division.

Key takeaways:

• Unanimous Decision Victory: Callum Smith won via unanimous decision, 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113.
• Interim WBO Light Heavyweight Title: Smith claimed the interim WBO light heavyweight title.
• Potential Title Fight: This victory sets up a likely future title fight against the reigning WBO light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev.
• Strategic Weight Class Move: Smith's move to light heavyweight has proven successful, utilizing his size and reach advantage.
• Bout Location: The fight took place at the O2 Arena in London, England.

This article is optimized for search engines using relevant keywords such as "Callum Smith," "Anthony Buatsi," "WBO Light Heavyweight Title," "boxing," "O2 Arena," and "Artur Beterbiev." The inverted pyramid structure prioritizes the most important information at the beginning and provides progressively more detailed information as the article progresses. The journalistic style is neutral and objective, presenting facts and quotes from those involved.