In a razor close match Liverpool’s own Callum Smith, 34, defeated London’s Joshua Buatsi, 31, to win the WBO Interim light-heavyweight title.
The stakes were high as Buatsi was the defending WBO Interim light-heavyweight title holder and previously professionally undefeated.
According to WBO, Smith came into the match number 7 in the world, with Buatsi as interim champion.
The 12-round battle, held in the ANB Arena in Saudi Arabi, was the undercard ahead of the rematch between Arthur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
In the first two rounds Callum Smith was on the front foot landing heavy shots against Buatsi.
Buatsi found the target in the third round, scoring crucial body shots to Smith.
The sixth round was pivotal as Smith dominated Buatsi for the majority of the round.
Smith rattled Buatsi after landing a right hand punch on his opponent’s chin.
Despite the round seemingly being unrecoverable for Buatsi, he did make a comeback in the final 20 seconds of the round landing a vital left hook.
Buatsi attempted a comeback in round eight using a combination to leave Smith on the ropes towards the end of the round.
The final round saw Smith secure important punches to the face, knocking out his opponent’s gumshield.
The fight was down to the wire right up until the end of the twelfth round.
Smith was awarded the win after all three judges scored in his favour.
Two judges scored similarly, 115-113 and 116-112, and the other scored 119-110- heavily in Smith’s favour.
Despite Buatsi being the favourite coming into the match Smith was able to snatch the victory in the final rounds.
Anthony Joshua could be seen on his feet ringside after the closely contested match.
Callum Smith was taken to hospital after the match due to an injury to his eye.
After the fight the new Interim Champion said: “I was the underdog and it got my back up a little bit when I saw people saying I was finished.
“I felt I have to prove a lot of people wrong tonight but it wasn’t a surprising result for me.”
Smith will now have the chance to face Dmitry Bivol after he defeated Artur Beterbiev in the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion match.
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