Callum Smith of Liverpool in the UK showed he is not done near the highest level of boxing just yet.
At the weekend just gone on the Bivol vs Beterbiev 2 undercard Smith beat fellow UK fighter Joshua Buatsi.
Speaking to IFL after the Buatsi fight Smith said:
“Yeah, I figured he would (fight how I expected). I’ve had two losses, and the two guys who beat me put me on the back foot. I was saying to my dad earlier, even at the hospital, that people don’t realize I’m a really good inside fighter. The two who beat me just forced me back, but I’m strong up close. I knew I’d come out on top in that kind of fight. I thought he’d try to smother me, get in tight, and work his inside game, but I was confident I’d beat him there. I felt I was getting him at range with the jab too, but up close, no one could tell him to just stay in and throw short shots at me. That’s probably what made it a better fight to watch. I’m glad I showed I can handle a tough, close-range fight. I think people forgot that after my two losses.”
Smith won the fight by unanimous decision over Buatsi.
Winning the WBO interim light-heavyweight title in the process.
Smith has only ever lost twice, once to Artur Beterbiev the other time to Canelo Alvarez — and has learned a lot from both bouts now.
If he applies what he has learned from those fights, and continues to improve, there is no reason why he can’t challenge for the world title again.
