On The Watch “It’s All About Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith”

WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Challenge

Today’s British domestic dust up between undefeated WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Champion Joshua Buatsi (19-1, 13 Kos) and challenger Callum Smith (31-2, 22 Kos), got the night started on the right foot when these two warriors stepped foot inside that squared circle at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Both combatants wasted no time at getting busy right from the jump. Both combatants exchanged leather for leather letting their hands go from head to body round by round with a hefty pace that neither fighter could maintain throughout the progressing rounds.

Both combatants had their moments throwing and landing some serious shots at one another which made the bout that much more interesting to call but to me one of the defining factors was the body work being administered by both fighters.

Both combatants clearly hurt one another inside that squared circle but the more visible damage may have been administered by Callum who although looked very tired, he did land the noticeable stronger punches with further lasting effects on Joshua who himself looked quite tired as well.

After 12 full competitive rounds the Judges at hand scored it 119-110, 116-112 and 115-113 unanimously for Callum Smith.

The Judge scoring it 119-110 is a little too wide in my opinion considering this was a very tight bout but nevertheless, Callum handed Joshua his first lost and picked up the WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Championship belt in the process, now positioning him for a potential bout against the winner of the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship showdown between Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Until then, congratulations Callum. Well done!

Blaze

On the Watch “It’s All About Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez”

Light Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s British domestic Boxxer/Sky Sports Main Event between Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 Kos) and British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 Kos) was an interesting bout that had the attention of all the fans in attendance at the OVO Arena in London, England.

Both combatants came out with a very good “game plan” that had both opponents exchanging blows back and forth round-by-round while holding their respective ground inside that squared circle.

Although both combatants each had their moments inside that squared circle, Buatsi, to me had the more telling type punches with the speed and accuracy giving him the edge as the rounds were piling up.

Buatsi’s level of experience was quite evident between the two combatants. Buatsi stayed level-headed and continued with the “game plan” as instructed by his cornerman unlike Azeez who was unable to deliver the bodywork his corner was requesting of him.

Both combatants did throw nuff hard leather shots at each other in the later rounds but it was Buatsi’s power punch that eventually got through and dropped Azeez twice in the eleventh round for two quick 8 counts. Water on the floor may have played a part in the knockdowns but nevertheless both were counted in Buatsi’s favor.

That being said, both combatants finished the last round strongly going toe-to-toe and bringing the crowd in attendance to their feet. After 12 full rounds of action the Judges at hand called it 117-109, 117-109 and 116-110 unanimously for Joshua Buatsi.

It was a very good domestic bout, one that the winner can definitely build onto bigger and better things. With this win Buatsi picked up the British & Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Championship belts and secured himself a mandatory position to challenge undefeated WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 Kos) for his title.

Only time will tell if this opportunity will be granted sooner rather than later.

Blaze