Liam Smith believes that his brother Callum is primed to remind people exactly what he is capable of, when he meets WBO Interim light-heavyweight world champion Joshua Buatsi on February 22.

The all-British showdown takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will form part of the lengthy, quality undercard supporting the rematch between undisputed and Ring light-heavyweight titleholder Arthur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The fight will be screened live on DAZN.

Smith - who held the WBA and Ring titles at super-middleweight - spent 17 months out of the ring before plunging back into the deep end against then unified WBC/WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Beterbiev last January. He was fighting for a foothold in the fight from the very start and stopped in seven rounds.

Smith - The Ring's No. 6 ranked light heavyweight - considered his future after the damaging defeat but the prospect of fighting Buatsi, winning the WBO Interim title and putting himself squarely in line for a shot at the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch relit the fire within him last summer.

Th 34-year-old's determined not to make the same mistake he did before boxing Beterbiev, shedding any ring rust with a fifth-round stoppage over Carlos Galvan on the undercard of Galal Yafai’s victory over Sunny Edwards on November 30.

Former WBO super-welterweight champion Liam is positive that getting a training camp and valuable rounds under his belt will do his brother the world of good.

“He wanted momentum, that’s why he took the fight a few weeks ago,” Smith told The Ring.

“He went in with one of the best fighters in the world - the best light heavyweight anyway - who’d knocked everyone out after being out of the ring for God knows how long. That’s no good for no one.

“No, he didn't do himself any favours but that's why he took the fight on Eddie [Hearn’s] show, because he wants a little bit of momentum going into another big fight. I feel like he’ll beat Joshua Buatsi.

“I’d put him in with anyone after that bit of momentum.”

Although Smith (30-2, 22 KOs), hasn’t recorded a top-level win since stopping George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final back in 2019, his only pro losses came at the hands of two modern greats in Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Beterbiev, while routinely proven himself to be a level above all but the very best.

Having lost a wide decision to 'Canelo' in a vacant WBC super-middleweight title fight in 2020, Smith has recorded three conclusive stoppages either side of the Beterbiev loss since moving up to 175lbs. Yet beating Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) would be his best result at the weight by some distance and further enhance his resume.

Conversely, the unbeaten Buatsi - ranked at No. 3 by The Ring - produced a career-best performance to outpoint Willy Hutchinson for the WBO Interim title last September but Smith represents a sizeable step up in competition, the Olympic bronze medallist needing to elevate his game once more if he's to be successful.

At this stage of Smith’s career, defeat would likely spell the end but Liam has recognised familiar signs during his brother’s preparations leaving him confident that there is yet another chapter to be added to it.

“That's exactly what I'm seeing; his attitude. I haven't seen him spar just yet. Obviously, for the last one, it was a rush job,” he said.

“But from him as a person, him going to the gym, him doing his runs, testing, strength and conditioning work, I'm recognising everything I've recognised before and I'm excited for him.”