The British fighter earned a crucial victory against Joshua Buatsi on Saturday (22.02.25) and was thrilled to silence those who have suggested that he was in decline after his loss to Artur Beterbiev last year.

The light-heavyweight fighter, who was also beaten by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2020, told iFL TV: "I’ve had two losses. The two people who beat me put me on the back foot. People don’t realise I’m a very, very good inside fighter – I’m very, very good up close and knew in that type of fight I could get on top. I thought [Buatsi would] try and smother me; get closer; get his inside work off. But I knew I’d beat him in that type of fight.

"I was beating him at range with the jab, but up close, Buddy [McGirt, my trainer] was telling me to stay inside and shorten my shots up. It’s probably what made it a better fight to watch, but I’m glad I showed that. People forgot that with the two fights I lost."

Smith was cut so badly during the fight that he had to go to hospital immediately after the bout and he fears that the wound could rule him out of action for a while.

The boxer said: "When they looked at the cut they said it was cut inside as well – I probably need plastic surgery – but they had to stitch inside as well as outside. I had to go there [to the hospital], get that checked over, scan the bones around there – they’re all okay. All stitched up.

"The plan all week was get in, get the job done, win, get out, have some pizza and sit and enjoy an amazing show [Smith and Buatsi had fought on the undercard of Beterbiev-Bivol II]. It didn’t quite go to plan – I had to go straight to hospital – and had to take my boots off as I was going to hospital. But I’m pleased with the result – I think I proved a lot of people wrong, and I’m happy."