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Chris Billam-Smith

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Chris Billam-Smith
Billam-Smith in 2024
Born (1990-08-02) 2 August 1990 (age 34)
Epsom, England
Other namesThe Gentleman
Statistics
Weight(s)Cruiserweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[1]
Reach76 in (193 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[2]
Total fights22
Wins20
Wins by KO13
Losses2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  England
English National Championships
Silver medal – second place 2016 Liverpool Heavyweight
Silver medal – second place 2013 Houghton-le-Spring Cruiserweight
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Liverpool Cruiserweight

Chris Billam-Smith (born 2 August 1990) is an English professional boxer who held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title from May 2023 until November 2024. At regional level, he held the European, British, and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles between 2019 and 2022.

Amateur career

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After training on and off as a youngster, Smith began to take boxing seriously at the age of 16. During a career in which he compiled a record of 32–11[3] while representing Poole ABC, he fought in several ABA Championships,[4] reaching the finals in 2013 and 2016; losing to C.Harrington 90 kg& losing out to Jack Massey at 86 kg[5] and Cheavon Clarke at 91 kg respectively.[6]

Professional career

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Smith made his professional debut on 16 September 2017 under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan,[7] scoring a first-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Russ Henshaw at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth, Dorset.[8]

After compiling a record of 9–0 (8 KO), he faced fellow undefeated British prospect Richard Riakporhe (9–0, 8 KO) for the WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title on 20 July 2019 at the O2 Arena in London. The fight was televised live on Sky Sports Box Office as part of the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Oscar Rivas.[9] Smith suffered his first professional defeat via split decision (SD) over ten rounds. Two judges scored the bout in favour of Riakporhe with 97–92 and 95–94, while the third scored it 96–93 to Smith.[10]

On 23 November 2019, he fought Craig Glover at the M&S Bank Arena (formerly Echo Arena), Liverpool, with the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title on the line. The fight was televised live on Sky Sports in the UK and streamed live on DAZN in the US as part of the undercard for Callum Smith's world title defence against John Ryder.[11] The first-round saw both fighters engage at close-quarters, with Glover suffering a cut above his left eye in the first minute of the bout from an accidental clash of heads. In the second-round, Smith stayed at range behind the jab, landing hooks and straight right hands to bloody Glover's nose. Round three was much of the same, with Smith landing counter hooks as Glover tried to work on the inside. Glover had more success in the fourth, with both fighters landing solid jabs and hooks to the head. In the final 10 seconds of the round, Smith hurt Glover with a straight right hand and followed up with a four punch combination culminating with a left hook which dropped Glover to the canvas seconds before the bell sounding. Less than a minute into the fifth, Smith began to land a variety of heavy punches to the head of Glover, scoring a second knockdown with a powerful left hook to the jaw. Glover was able to get back to his feet before the referee's count of ten only to be met by more heavy shots from Smith, who landed two straight right hands to the side of Glover's head which promoted referee Mark Lyson to call a halt to the contest as Glover was knocked down for a third time, handing Billam-Smith the Commonwealth title via fifth-round TKO.[12][13]

He made the first defence of his Commonwealth title on 7 August 2020, facing Nathan Thorley at the Matchroom Sport headquarters in Brentwood, Essex, live on Sky Sports as part of the undercard for Terri Harper's world title defence against Natasha Jonas. Following a fast start from Smith, he scored a knockdown at the end of the first round after three left hooks forced Thorley to go down on one knee. After trapping Thorley in a corner in the second round, Smith landed a series of right hands to send Thorley to the canvas for a second time. Smith scored a third knockdown with another right hand, with Thorley again making it back to his feet only to see referee Mark Lyson call a halt to the contest, handing Smith a second-round TKO victory to retain his Commonwealth title.[14][15]

On 31 July 2021, Billam-Smith faced Tommy McCarthy as part of Matchroom's Fight Camp in a bout where the British, European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles were at stake. In a very competitive bout, Billam-Smith prevailed by split decision, with scores of 116-112 and 115-114 in his favour, and 115-114 in favour of McCarthy.[16][17]

Billam-Smith made his first European title defense against Dylan Bregeon on 13 November 2021, at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 120-109, 119-109 and 119-109.[18][19]

Billam-Smith fought a rematch with Tommy McCarthy on April 16, 2022, on the undercard of the Conor Benn and Chris van Heerden welterweight bout.[20] He won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout, flooring McCarthy with a right cross.[21]

Billiam-Smith defeated Isaac Chamberlain to retain his Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles, winning on three scorecards of 117-111.[22] Billiam-Smith vacated the EBU Cruiserweight title in July 2022.[23]

WBO cruiserweight champion

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Billam-Smith vs. Okolie

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On May 27, 2023 at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Billam-Smith defeated Lawrence Okolie by majority decision to become the new WBO cruiserweight champion.[24][25]

Billam-Smith vs. Masternak

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On December 10, 2023 in Bournemouth, England, Billam-Smith was scheduled to make the first defense of his WBO cruiserweight title against Mateusz Masternak.[26] Billam-Smith defeated Masternak by corner retirement.[27][28]

Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe II

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Billam-Smith defeated Richard Riakporhe by unanimous decision at Selhurst Park in London, England, on June 15, 2024, to retain his world title and avenge his only previous loss as a professional five years earlier. The ringside judges scored the contest 116-111, 115-112, 115-112.[29][30][31][32]

WBO & WBA Cruiserweight Championship Unification

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Billam-Smith vs. Ramirez

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Billam-Smith put his WBO cruiserweight title on the line in a world championship unification bout against WBA champion Gilberto Ramírez in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 16 November 2024.[33] He lost by unanimous decision.[34][35][36]

Personal life

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Billam-Smith is a supporter of AFC Bournemouth.[37]

Professional boxing record

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22 fights 20 wins 2 losses
By knockout 13 0
By decision 7 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
22 Loss 20–2 Gilberto Ramírez UD 12 16 Nov 2024 The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Lost WBO cruiserweight title;
For WBA (Super) cruiserweight title
21 Win 20–1 Richard Riakporhe UD 12 15 Jun 2024 Selhurst Park, London, England Retained WBO cruiserweight title
20 Win 19–1 Mateusz Masternak RTD 8 (12), 0:02 10 Dec 2023 Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England Retained WBO cruiserweight title
19 Win 18–1 Lawrence Okolie MD 12 27 May 2023 Dean Court, Bournemouth, England Won WBO cruiserweight title
18 Win 17–1 Armend Xhoxhaj KO 5 (12), 1:52 17 Dec 2022 Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England
17 Win 16–1 Isaac Chamberlain UD 12 30 Jul 2022 Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England Retained European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles
16 Win 15–1 Tommy McCarthy TKO 8 (12), 1:28 16 April 2022 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Retained European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles
15 Win 14–1 Dylan Bregeon UD 12 13 Nov 2021 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England Retained European cruiserweight title
14 Win 13–1 Tommy McCarthy SD 12 31 Jul 2021 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England Retained Commonwealth cruiserweight title;
Won European and vacant British cruiserweight titles
13 Win 12–1 Vasil Ducar UD 10 20 Mar 2021 Wembley Arena, London, England Won vacant WBA Continental cruiserweight title
12 Win 11–1 Nathan Thorley TKO 2 (12), 2:05 7 Aug 2020 Matchroom Headquarters, Brentwood, England Retained Commonwealth cruiserweight title
11 Win 10–1 Craig Glover TKO 5 (12), 1:45 23 Nov 2019 Liverpool Arena, Liverpool, England Won vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title
10 Loss 9–1 Richard Riakporhe SD 10 20 Jul 2019 The O2 Arena, London, England For WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
9 Win 9–0 Yassine Habachi RTD 3 (6), 3:00 10 May 2019 Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England
8 Win 8–0 Kent Kauppinen TKO 6 (6), 0:45 15 Dec 2018 O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England
7 Win 7–0 Robin Dupre RTD 5 (10), 3:00 13 Oct 2018 York Hall, London, England
6 Win 6–0 Michal Pleanik PTS 8 16 Jun 2018 O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England
5 Win 5–0 Gheorghe Danut RTD 5 (6), 3:00 9 Mar 2018 O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England
4 Win 4–0 Laszlo Ivanyi KO 1 (4), 2:17 2 Dec 2017 Leicester Arena, Leicester, England
3 Win 3–0 Jan Hrazdira KO 2 (4), 0:06 11 Nov 2017 Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland
2 Win 2–0 Alexandar Todorovic TKO 1 (4), 2:43 14 Oct 2017 Wembley Arena, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Russ Henshaw TKO 1 (4), 2:01 16 Sep 2017 O2 Academy, Bournemouth, England

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b DAZN Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Gilberto Ramirez fight.
  2. ^ "Boxing record for Chris Billam-Smith". BoxRec.
  3. ^ Daley, Paul J. (4 June 2018). "PROSPECT WATCH | "THE GENTLEMAN" CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH". TOPCLASSBOXING. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  4. ^ "BoxRec: Chris Billam Smith - Amateur career". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  5. ^ "National Elite Championships 2013". England Boxing. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  6. ^ "National Elite Championships 2016". England Boxing. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  7. ^ Jay, Phil (12 September 2017). "Barry, Shane McGuigan link up with Chris Billam-Smith". World Boxing News. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  8. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Whyte vs Rivas: Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith risk their unbeaten records on O2 bill". Sky Sports. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  10. ^ Gilbert, Peter (21 July 2019). "Whyte vs Rivas: Richard Riakpore defeats Chris Billam Smith on points". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  11. ^ Christ, Scott (23 November 2019). "Callum Smith vs John Ryder: Live streaming results and coverage". www.badlefthook.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  12. ^ Donovan, Jake (23 November 2019). "Chris Billam-Smith Drops, Stops Craig Glover in Five". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  13. ^ "'It means so much' - Bournemouth's Chris Billam-Smith wins Commonwealth title after brutal stoppage victory over Craig Glover". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  14. ^ Lewis, Ron (7 August 2020). "Chris Billam-Smith Crushes Thorley To Retain Commonwealth Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Harper vs Jonas: Chris Billam-Smith ruthlessly stops Nathan Thorley to defend Commonwealth belt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  16. ^ "McCarthy loses European belt to Billam-Smith". RTE. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith Edges Tommy McCarthy With Close Split Decision". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  18. ^ Crocker, Tom (13 November 2021). "Chris Billam-Smith defeats Dylan Bregeon to retain European title". bournemouthecho.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith Decisions Dylan Bregeon To Retain EBU Title". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  20. ^ Dixon, Tris (12 April 2022). "Chris Billam-Smith Ready To Shine Under The Bright Lights In Rematch With Tommy Mccarthy". ringtv.com. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  21. ^ Boxing Photos (17 April 2022). "Photos: Chris Billam-Smith Knocks Out Tommy McCarthy in Rematch". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  22. ^ Lewis, Ron (30 July 2022). "Chris Billam-Smith Decisions Isaac Chamberlain in Grueling Action-Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  23. ^ Persson, Per Ake (6 September 2022). "Euro News: Chris Billam-Smith, Baraou vs. Prat in November, More". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith wins WBO cruiserweight title after toppling previously unbeaten Lawrence Okolie". Fox Sports. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith Drops Lawrence Okolie Three Times, Wins Stunning Decision For WBO Title". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  26. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (24 October 2023). "Chris Billam-Smith faces Mateusz Masternak on Dec 10 in Bournemouth, England". FIGHTMAG.
  27. ^ "Billam-Smith defends title after Masternak exits". ESPN.com. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith Overcomes Tough Moments, Breaks Down and Stops Mateusz Masternak". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith Gains Revenge In Victory Over Richard Riakporhe". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Chris Billam-Smith beats Richard Riakporhe to retain WBO cruiserweight world title at Selhurst Park". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Billam-Smith outpoints Riakporhe to retain world title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Ringside Report: Chris Billam-Smith Gets Sweet Revenge Over Richard Riakporhe". fightpost.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  33. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (11 September 2024). "Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez faces Chris Billam-Smith in Nov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia". FIGHTMAG.
  34. ^ "Gilberto Ramirez unifies cruiserweight titles with hard-fought decision win over Chris Billam-Smith". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  35. ^ "Ramirez outclasses brave Billam-Smith to unify titles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Ramirez beats Billam-Smith in cruiserweight unification bout". ESPN. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  37. ^ Crocker, Tom (8 November 2023). "Billam-Smith: I couldn't fight same day as Cherries are playing away". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Lawrence Okolie 		Commonwealth cruiserweight champion
23 November 2019 – 2023 		Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Richard Riakporhe 		British cruiserweight champion
31 July 2021 – 2021
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Mikael Lawal
Preceded by EBU cruiserweight champion
31 July 2021 – 2022
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Michał Cieślak
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Lawrence Okolie
 WBO cruiserweight champion
27 May 2023 – 16 November 2024 		Succeeded by
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