Callum Smith Claims Interim WBO Title After Victory Over Buatsi

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Post on Feb 23, 2025

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Callum Smith Claims Interim WBO Title After Dominant Victory Over Buatsi

Liverpool, England – Callum Smith emphatically reclaimed his place amongst the world's elite light heavyweight contenders, securing a commanding unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Joshua Buatsi on Saturday night at the M&S Bank Arena. The victory earned Smith the vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title, setting him up for a potential showdown with the current champion, Artur Beterbiev.

The fight, a clash of styles and power, saw Smith utilize his superior reach and technical boxing skills to control the pace throughout the twelve rounds. Buatsi, known for his aggressive pressure fighting, struggled to penetrate Smith's defense and consistently found himself on the receiving end of crisp jabs and powerful counter-punches. While Buatsi showed flashes of his trademark power, landing some impactful shots, they were too infrequent to overcome Smith's consistent control and point accumulation.

The judges' scorecards reflected Smith's dominance, with all three awarding him the victory by a comfortable margin: [Insert Specific Judge's Scorecards Here]. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with a partisan Liverpool crowd roaring their approval for their hometown hero's performance. Smith, visibly elated after the final bell, celebrated with his team, acknowledging the tough challenge presented by Buatsi but emphasizing his own strategic approach to the fight.

"I knew Buatsi was a dangerous fighter, a big puncher," Smith said in his post-fight interview. "But I stuck to the game plan, used my jab, and picked my shots. I felt strong throughout the fight and I'm delighted with the performance and the win. This interim title is a great stepping stone, and I'm looking forward to fighting for the undisputed title." He further called out Beterbiev directly, expressing his confidence in his ability to defeat the champion and unify the light heavyweight division.

The win marks a significant resurgence for Smith, who previously held the WBA super-middleweight title. His move up to light heavyweight has clearly paid dividends, showcasing an enhanced power and a refined boxing IQ. The victory also highlights the competitiveness of the light heavyweight division, with several elite fighters vying for championship opportunities. Buatsi, despite the loss, remains a highly regarded contender, and this setback is unlikely to diminish his future prospects. He showed heart and determination throughout the bout, and his aggressive style will continue to make him a compelling matchup for other top-ranked fighters.

The fight's outcome leaves the light heavyweight landscape significantly altered. Smith's victory positions him as the mandatory challenger for Beterbiev's WBO title, though the timing of that potential fight remains uncertain. Negotiations between the fighters' teams and the WBO will be key to determining the timeline for a unification bout. However, with Smith's impressive performance and his clear call-out of Beterbiev, a clash between these two powerful light heavyweights appears increasingly likely in the near future. This fight promises to be a thrilling spectacle for boxing fans worldwide. The interim title win represents more than just a belt for Smith; it’s a statement of intent, a declaration that he's back and ready to conquer the light heavyweight division. The boxing world will be watching closely to see what happens next.