Callum Smith will take on Joshua Buatsi for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title on February 22nd. However, to Smith, it’s not the toughest test he’s had.
Callum ‘Mundo’ Smith made his comeback to the ring recently against durable journeyman Carlos Galvan. After shaking off any ring-rust, Smith is heading straight back into the action in his second attempt at a light-heavyweight title.
Smith has lost only two of his 32 fights, with a decision loss to Canelo, whose next opponent has now been named as William Scull, at super-middleweight in 2020, and a stoppage loss to Artur Beterbiev in 2024, who not only stopped Smith but put him on the canvas for the first time in his career beforehand.
Smith will face undefeated South Londoner, Joshua Buatsi, who holds wins over Craig Richards, Willy Hutchinson and Ricards Bolotniks.
Speaking to BOXXER on his opponent, Smith said: “He’s good, he’s well schooled, got good pedigree, but I just believe I’m better.”
Buatsi was asked, “Where would you rank [Callum Smith] on your list of opponents?” to which Buatsi replied: “On paper, based on his achievements, number one.”
Smith, however, had a different answer.
Callum Smith names Canelo, Beterbiev, and George Groves as his toughest opponents
When asked the same question, Smith answered: “Obviously the two people who beat me were above him.”
“Would he be the best person I’ve beat? I don’t know, I’d probably say Groves was a better fighter at the time, other than that he’s up there, he’s a good fighter.”
Smith stopped Groves in the seventh round of their 2018 encounter, which would be Groves last fight in boxing.
‘Saint George’ Groves is known best for his fights with Carl Froch, garnering a crowd of 80,000 fans in Wembley for the pair’s rematch.
Smith and Buatsi were also asked to describe each other in three words, though neither man seemed to give much away in their answers, with Buatsi’s words being “Callum ‘Mundo’ Smith,” and Smith’s being “Respectful, technical, decent.”
Callum Smith believes Joshua Buatsi has taken too long to get to the top
Smith was posed the question, “What do you make of Buatsi’s career so far?”
Though he praised Buatsi initially, and suggested: “Yeah, good. It’s hard to criticise someone whose undefeated, I think he’s done everything asked of him. “
The Liverpool boxer did have one criticism though: “I think my only criticism is he maybe should’ve got there a little bit quicker with the amateur pedigree he had.
He did, however, conclude that: “It’s not about time you get there, it’s about getting there.”
Eddie Hearn named Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur and Dmitry Bivol as next opponents for Smith following his loss to Beterbiev.
It is possible, should the Scouser get past his South London foe on the 22nd, that Dmitry Bivol may be next if the Russian can turn things around in the rematch.
Bivol and Beterbiev have named each other’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of their undisputed rematch.
Also on the card, Zhilei Zhang, who has been training with LL Cool J, faces Agit Kabayel, Shakur Stevenson collides with Floyd Schofield, and Joseph Parker takes on Daniel Dubois.