Smith-Buatsi rematch eyed for expanded Queensberry-Matchroom card

Eddie Hearn believes a Callum Smith-Joshua Buatsi rematch for the full WBO heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title could land on an expanded Queensberry versus Matchroom card later this year.

The Matchroom promoter told DAZN during Saturday's broadcast from Sheffield that if Dmitry Bivol vacates his WBO belt to chase bigger fights, Smith's interim strap would be upgraded to full champion status. That would set up a second meeting with Buatsi, who pushed Smith to the limit in their February war. "If he does that, he'll have to vacate the title, and if he does that we'll get the rematch of the fight of the year between Callum Smith and Buatsi for the world title," Hearn said, per The Ring. "And that, incidentally, could be a cracking fight to land on the, not the 5 vs. 5, but the 7 vs. 7 against Queensberry coming up."

What the 7 vs. 7 format means for UK boxing fans

The original five-bout Queensberry-Matchroom card in Saudi Arabia last June was a commercial hit despite Hearn's stable getting shut out. Queensberry swept all five fights, but both camps acknowledged the event's pull with British audiences. Hearn said he has been in regular contact with George Warren this week about potential matchups for a rematch card on home soil. "There are probably a dozen fights that can get made and we'll definitely need more than five," he added. A UK date in October or November is under discussion.

Smith has been out since a rib injury forced him to withdraw from an April defence against David Morrell, who later lost to Zak Chelli and dropped out of the WBO picture. Buatsi returned in October with a narrow decision over Zach Parker. The WBO recently ordered Bivol to face Smith, but Hearn expects the Russian champion to pursue a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev or a crossover with David Benavidez instead. "Bivol is looking at the potential of the trilogy with Artur Beterbiev or a David Benavidez fight," Hearn said.

The first Smith-Buatsi bout went the full 12 rounds in Liverpool, with Smith taking a unanimous nod after a brutal back-and-forth. Buatsi sits at number two in the WBO rankings, making the rematch a natural title eliminator or championship fight depending on Bivol's next move. Hearn called it one of 2025's best scraps and said British fans would be thrilled to see it run back on the 7 vs. 7 stage.

Source: ringmagazine.com