Both men were content to stand and trade big shots from the opening bell, but it was Smith who did the better work for most of the first half of the fight. Smith focused much of that early attack on Buatsi's body, looking to wear down the Ghanaian brawler.

Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi impress on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard in a grueling battle where Smith came out the victor.