Last year, British boxing fans were treated to an absolute modern classic when Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi went toe-to-toe in a brutal Fight of the Year contender. Now, both men find themselves firmly positioned at the elite summit of the light-heavyweight division, on the verge of challenging for world titles. As anticipation builds for the division’s next chapter, Buatsi has stepped forward to offer his candid thoughts on Smith’s upcoming bid for Dmitry Bivol’s unified 175-pound world crown, reflecting on their shared history and evaluating the challenges that lie ahead for the Liverpudlian contender.
Smith and Buatsi originally collided on a high-profile undercard last February, sharing the ring on the supporting bill for the rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. What unfolded was a ferocious firefight that captured the attention of the global boxing community. Both fighters displayed immense skill, resilience, and power over the course of twelve grueling rounds. Ultimately, Smith came out on top, securing a unanimous decision victory with the judges scoring the contest 115-113, 119-110, and 116-112 in his favor. While the wider margins on the scorecards somewhat failed to fully reflect the sheer effort, heart, and competitive nature brought by Buatsi, the bout cemented both competitors’ reputations as world-class operators within a talent-rich division.
Since that unforgettable domestic dust-up, however, the two fighters’ career trajectories have diverged significantly in terms of ring activity. Smith has not fought since his victory over Buatsi. He had been scheduled to step back into the ring to take on David Morrell earlier this year, but a late injury forced him to withdraw from the bout. Consequently, the former world champion was left to remain on the sidelines, nursing his recovery and waiting for the right opportunity to materialize.
Meanwhile, Buatsi navigated his own path back into the winning column. Following the disappointment of the Smith defeat, he returned to action last November, securing a hard-fought and subsequently controversial majority-decision triumph over Zach Parker. That victory kept Buatsi relevant in the world title picture and ensured that his momentum at the top of the sport did not stall permanently.
The landscape at light-heavyweight shifted further when Smith, as the WBO Interim champion and mandatory challenger, was officially ordered to challenge for Bivol’s remaining three prestigious light-heavyweight marbles. The high-stakes championship clash has since been formally scheduled to take place at the UMMC Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, setting the stage for a hostile and formidable environment for the British challenger as he looks to dethrone one of the division’s most technically proficient champions.
Speaking recently to Pro Boxing Fans, Buatsi was asked to consider whether Smith’s lengthy 22-month spell of inactivity might negatively impact the fighter known as "Mundo." Despite the obvious concerns regarding ring rust that naturally accompany a layoff of nearly two years, Buatsi maintained a balanced perspective. He pointed to his own prior experience against Smith to suggest that the Liverpudlian has a history of overcoming extended breaks and returning to peak form immediately. Ultimately, Buatsi predicted that Smith’s upcoming championship clash with Bivol will be a deeply competitive affair.
Reflecting on the impending challenge, Buatsi offered his expert assessment to Pro Boxing Fans, noting that the dynamics of long-term layoffs can cut both ways for elite athletes. "It’ll be a competitive fight," Buatsi stated. "I don’t know if the inactivity will suit Smith, but Smith has been inactive at times and come back in one fight, he did that against me, so can I say that it might not help him? It might not, but sometimes the resting is good for the body so we will have to wait and see."
The bicoastal drama of the light-heavyweight division reaches its next critical juncture on Saturday, December 12, when the Bivol-Smith showdown officially takes place at the UMMC Arena. As Smith prepares for his massive world title challenge in Russia, Buatsi is simultaneously locked in his own high-stakes preparations. Buatsi is set to compete for the vacant WBC light-heavyweight crown in Manchester on Saturday, squaring off in a fiercely anticipated rematch against Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson as both Brits look to cement their legacies at the very top of 175-pound boxing.
