Callum Smith appears to be a legitimate threat to anyone at 175 pounds.
Smith, a former 168-pound titleholder, knocked out Mathieu Bauderlique at 1:53 of the fourth round of a scheduled 12-round WBC title eliminator on the Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua II card Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Englishman is now 2-0 at his new weight, including a second-round stoppage of Gilbert Castillo Rivera in his previous fight.
“I think it’s another one to add to the reel,” he said in the ring afterward.
"It's another one for the reel!" 🧨🎞️
Callum Smith with a brutal, brutal knockout! 😳 pic.twitter.com/fJOVfMVu50
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) August 20, 2022
Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) and Bauderlique (21-2, 12 KOs) engaged in a spirited back-and-forth battle for three-plus rounds, with both fighters landing eye-catching shots.
However, Smith changed the fight instantaneously with a left hook that put his French opponent down about 20 seconds into Round 4.
Bauderlique, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, was able to get to his feet and fight reasonably well but Smith kept the pressure on him, landing some hard follow-up shots.
The end came when Smith landed another left hook that sent Bauderlique down and part way through the ropes, where he was counted out.
Smith is now at the head of the line to face WBC titleholder Artur Beterbiev.
“Puts me in line for the world title next,” he said, “so good night all around.”
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