British Cruiserweight contender Chris Billam-Smith will attempt to raise his profile a little more Saturday night and he will do so battling in front of his home fans. The 31 year old British Commonwealth Crusierweight title holder will headline for Boxxer Promotions against fellow contender Issac Chamberlain.
Sky Sports, whom will televise the show and the scheduled 12 round main event, had more Friday on the battle in the beachside town of Bournemouth, England,
𝐆 𝐎 𝐓 𝐈 𝐌 𝐄
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 29, 2022
Billiam-Smith comes in with a 15-1, 11 KOs record and has won six fights in a row since his lone defeat on a narrow decision to Richard Riakporhe three years ago this month.
From a Sky Sports Preview of the bout,
“Billam-Smith insists he cannot allow himself to let down his hometown supporters. That expectation on him, he promises, will help him, not hinder him. Billam-Smith insists he cannot allow himself to let down his hometown supporters. That expectation on him, he promises, will help him, not hinder him.
“Pressure’s a privilege, I’ve sort of lived my whole career like that. I love the pressure. I think that’ll bring out the best in me,” he said. “Everything is coming together now.”
Billam-Smith is more seasoned. He punches with good technique and solid force behind a firm jab and heavy right. Crucially he’s come through title fights to earn valuable experience.
“One of my best attributes is my workrate and the relentlessness, I don’t really give people a breather,” he said.
That, he believes, will grind down Chamberlain. “As a fighter, you want to get stoppages. I did say no points decisions this year,” Billam-Smith said. “That’ll be the plan on July 30.”
As for Chamberlain, he’s 14-1 with that loss coming against current WBO cruiserweight champ Lawrence Okolie in February 2018. Chamberlain has won five fights in a row since then, four by KO and will be a test for Billam-Smith.
It’s a level, 50-50 battle in the Bournemouth International Centre on the South Coast of England and an expected crowd of some 5,000+ will be on hand to see if the favored Billam-Smith can deliver.
