Joshua Butsi is determined to beat Callum Smith to secure the recording of the winner of Arthur Beterbiev against Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev Rovenas Bivol for the undisputed World Cup on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
At the same event in the Riyadh season, the Butsi puts his temporary WBO belt on the line against Liverpool Smith.
The winner of their struggle will be on the way to hit the entire World Cup.
“Surely after the victory they have to say you are next,” the Buatsi said Sky Sports.
“The focus is to cement my position – get a win, and then I hope you fight the winner.
“It’s a temporary belt I have. I don’t look past Smith, but that’s what I have to go to fix my position.
“I know it’s someone I have to win to even run that conversation. I’m really focused on not slipping here and getting a victory.”
In addition to training with coach Virgil Hunter in Oakland, he had expert assistance from a boxing legend and the former United World Champion in a slight weight, Andre Ward.
The Buats even had to sleep with Ward while receiving some coaching guidelines.
“We were breaking a little,” the Buatsi said. “It was different to see that someone in practice implements what they say.
“It was good to see him, get inside and pair and show me a few things.”
Smith says the pressure on Buatsi is to win their fight and his sparring with Andre Ward will not be a decisive factor
The London Butsi never lost a professional competition. But Smith, a former world champion in a super-row category who just beat Beterbiev and Canelo Alvarez, will be his hardest fight so far.
“This is definitely the most difficult and most likely opponent. It will be a big fight,” the Buatsi said.
But he expects to be better than ever before. “There will be improvements from my last fight you will see,” he said.
“I am learning the right things. I am real with the right training and believe in my abilities.
“Remove plus hard work is equal to win.”
Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker and The Artur Beterbiev V Dmitry Bivol Revact It will be live on Saturday 22 February at Sky Sports Box Office. Book immediately!
https://e0.365dm.com/25/02/1600×900/skysports-joshua-buatsi-callum-smith_6834545.jpg?20250220122923
2025-02-20 12:40:00
