Callum Smith has dismissed the value to Joshua Buatsi of his sparring sessions with Andre Ward.
The 34-year-old Smith and Buatsi fight on Saturday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title on the undercard of the undisputed title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Smith and Buatsi, 31, can therefore potentially earn the right to fight the winner of the main event and rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The winner of Smith-Buatsi would also be considered Britain’s finest at 175lbs.
That Buatsi is trained by Virgil Hunter contributed to him sparring the great Ward, Hunter’s biggest success, in the build-up to Saturday’s contest, but Smith told Sky Sports News of the development: “It’s probably been good to spar Andre Ward. He was a great fighter in his time – he was very, very good. I’m a fan of Andre Ward. But Andre Ward can’t help him in the ring. I feel good; I feel strong, and ready to go in there and do the job.
“His camp’s his camp. My camp’s my camp. As long as the best version of you turns up on fight night.
“[Buatsi] had a lot of potential years ago when he turned professional. He was an Olympic bronze medallist. But that was nine years ago this summer and he’s still to fulfil it. So the pressure’s on him – can he walk the walk?
“He’s done everything asked of him so far, so you can’t really criticise him too much, but now’s the final step to see if he can do it at the highest level. I believe I’m the best he’s fought. If the best version of me turns up then I’m confident of getting the win.”
Smith was stopped by Beterbiev in January 2023, having previously lost only to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez via decision, and he added on the prospect of a rematch: “I’ve always said, the two losses on my record, I’d love a chance to correct either of them. That’s just the fighter in you – you always want to put things right.
“As a fighter, you want to test yourself against the best and they’re [Beterbiev and Bivol] definitely the two best light heavyweights in the world at the moment. They’re fighting for all the belts. I’ve got to take care of my job Saturday night.”
Incidentally, while Smith was still being trained by Joe Gallagher, Gallagher had sought a fight between Smith and Andre Ward.
