CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH will make the primary defence of his WBO cruiserweight title on Sunday, December 10 in Bournemouth.
Standing throughout from him will probably be veteran Mateusz Masternak, 47-5 (31), who will probably be stepping onto Billam-Smith’s house turf contained in the Bournemouth International Centre having had his final six fights in his native Poland.
Billam-Smith, 33, gained the belt on factors in his house metropolis 5 months in the past in opposition to buddy and former gym-mate Lawrence Okolie. While that combat turned out to be one to neglect, the event was not, with Billam-Smith, 18-1 (12), delighting the 1000’s packed inside AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium by securing what ended up being an emotional victory.
Okolie had been anticipated to face Billam-Smith as soon as once more having activated his rematch clause however as a substitute will probably be Masternak who faces ‘The Gentleman’. Speaking to Boxing News about the potential of going through Okolie in a return, Billam-Smith mentioned: “I think he wants the fight. I think the issue may be with broadcasters because of the way he fights. It’s an entertainment business, an entertainment network, and [his] fights aren’t that entertaining. But he’s contracted for the rematch, so we’ll see what happens.”
Last week it was introduced that Boxxer, who promote Billam-Smith, entered right into a media rights partnership with NBC Sports which might see bouts streamed stay on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock (with choose occasions airing on NBC).
Masternak, 36, is now into his 18th yr as an expert and is a former European champion, although has thus far by no means challenged for full world honours. In June 2014 Masternak misplaced a cut up resolution to Youri Kalenga for the WBA’s interim trinket however would then avenge this loss 4 years later, stopping the French-Congolese cruiser in six rounds.
His go to to UK shores in December would be the second of his profession. (*10*) he gave a superb account of himself in opposition to Tony Bellew in a European title combat in 2015, however was finally defeated on factors.
Billam-Smith, in the meantime, will look to finish the yr on a excessive earlier than then getting into into unifications in 2024 in opposition to both Jai Opetaia (IBF) or Arsen Goulamirian (WBA). (Badou Jack has lately vacated his WBC title, that means it’ll now be contested by the highest two contenders, Noel Mikaelian and Illunga Makabu.)
Source link
