Callum Smith achieved what he called the best win of his career by defeating Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 22, 2025. Smith's victory, with judges scoring the contest 119-110, 115-113, and 116-112, secured him the WBO Interim light-heavyweight title and rejuvenated his standing within the boxing community.
With this decisive win, Smith improved his professional record to 31-2, showcasing his experience and grit against Buatsi, who recorded the first loss of his career, dropping to 19-1. The bout was part of the much-anticipated undercard for the main event rematch between undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. For many boxing fans and pundits, the fight between Smith and Buatsi lived up to its hype, providing thrilling exchanges and intense competition.
From the onset, both fighters entered the ring with ferocity, promising to give fans one for the ages. Smith’s strategy focused on body shots, aiming to weaken Buatsi’s defenses early on. The action was fast and furious, with each boxer landing powerful punches, but it was Smith who made more significant strikes, particularly targeting Buatsi’s body and demonstrating his tactical prowess. A standout moment came during the fifth round when Smith landed particularly damaging blows to Buatsi's torso, evidencing his focus on wearing down the younger fighter.
Despite facing adversity—including suffering a cut above his right eye—Smith's determination shone through, and he surged forth with vigor. Buatsi, undeterred, responded with resilience, landing powerful combinations of his own, making the match truly competitive. The back-and-forth action reflected both fighters’ toughness; Smith's strategy of applying pressure eventually began to pay dividends when he stunned Buatsi multiple times, particularly noted during rounds six and twelve.
After the final bell rang, the anticipation of the scorecards kept both fighters and their camps on the edge. The majority of boxing commentators agreed on the victor but raised eyebrows at the scoring, particularly the wide 119-110 score from judge Steve Gray—sparking debate within the boxing community. Most felt the bout was much closer, with unofficial tallies from people like those at Bad Left Hook scoring it 115-113 and 116-112 for the winner.
Post-fight, Smith expressed his triumph by stating, "I felt I had to prove a lot of people wrong tonight. It wasn’t a perfect performance. I took a few rounds off toward the end and lost my rhythm. But that's boxing, you've got to get on with it, and I did." His acknowledgment of the struggles during the fight underscored both the intensity of the competition and the respect he holds for his opponent.
With this victory, Callum Smith finds himself back among the elite at light heavyweight. Placing himself as a contender for potential matches against top names like Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol, Smith's name is now mentioned alongside the best. Smith's impressive performance demonstrates his readiness to reclaim championship status, especially after facing previous setbacks against high-caliber opponents.
Conversely, this fight serves as both a setback and learning experience for Buatsi, whose potential remains high, even after his first career loss. Critics are curious to see how he will move forward, as he displayed raw talent and promise throughout the fight. Experts believe it’s wise for Buatsi to take some time to recuperate physically and mentally before re-entering the ring.
Overall, Smith's win adds to his storied career, making this latest bout against Buatsi not just about the title but also about redemption and resurgence. For the boxing world, it presents new narratives and potential rivalries moving forward, teasing what could be another exciting chapter in the light-heavyweight division.