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Callum Smith will take on Joshua Buatsi for the WBO light heavyweight title bout (12 rounds). This one takes place Saturday, February 22nd @ Kingdom Arena - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Smith comes in at +175 odds and Buatsi -215.
The main fight card and DAZN broadcast will begin at 4pm GMT in the UK; 11am ET; 8am PT; 7pm KSA.
Buatsi against Smith starts the superb fight card at 4:15pm GMT; 11:15am ET; 8:15am PT; 7:15pm KSA.
Date: Saturday, February 22
Time: 4pm GMT; 11am ET; 8am PT; 7pm KSA
Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith ringwalks (approx): 4:15pm GMT; 11:15am ET; 8:15am PT; 7:15pm KSA
Smith, an English boxer, has 30 wins in 32 fights with 22 KOs.
Smith is bidding to become a two-time world champion following his loss to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2020.
"The fire is still there," he said. "I always set myself goals, and I've been lucky throughout my career to achieve them all.
"But now I've set a goal to become a two-weight world champion. It's still not done, and that's why I'm here. I think I'm good enough to do it.
"A win over Josh puts me one step closer to being there. It's a great fight. I respect Josh as a fighter, but he's got something I want. He's the WBO interim champion.
"A win against him and taking his belt puts me a little bit closer to where I want to be, so there's a lot at stake for me.
"If something motivates me, I'll get up and go to the gym, and give everything I have. This fight definitely motivates me.
"I'll do everything I can in my power to make sure the best version of me steps into the ring, and I believe I'm good enough to get the job done."
Buatsi, also from the UK, is undefeated in 19 bouts with 13 of those decided by KO.
He is considered to be one of the rising stars in boxing.
"I'm in touching distance," he said. "I was asked to bring my interim belt [to this] but why would I do that when the real ones are behind me?
"I've got to get Smith out of the way and that's all I'm fixated on. I've no doubt that February 22, I'll be there."
BOXXER promoter Shalom echoed his star's comments, adding: "This fight means a lot to us. We've seen him go through the domestic divisio.
"We've seen him pick up the WBA interim belt. But he wants a full world title. This opportunity against Callum Smith allows him to prove he is an elite-level fighter.
"You have to be an elite-level fighter to beat Callum Smith. It's a huge opportunity, a huge platform and I expect Josh Buatsi to show why he is the next one in this division."
Boxing and MMA bouts have proven incredibly popular here at Gambling911.com. An upcoming fight featuring Canelo Alvarez vs. Jake Paul is so far the second most popular betting market of the new year at Gambling911. Canelo vs. Terrence Crawford has also drawn in significant readership.
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