World Title Challenge: Chris Billam-Smith insists he is now prepared to box at a professional level.
In a thrilling 12-round fight with Isaac Chamberlain, the Bournemouth cruiserweight successfully defended his European championship in July.
He is now going after Jai Opetaia, the top contender in the division who earlier this year upset Mairis Briedis to earn the IBF title.
Opetaia has been healing from the cracks he got in his jaw in that bout, but Billam-Smith is optimistic that a world title matchup with the Australian may be scheduled for May of 2019.
Ahead of that, however, he intends to box once again before the year is out. “After the last show I don’t think we can fight anywhere else but Bournemouth,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports. “I think that’s the plan and that’s what we’re trying to work on next.
“Everybody loved it, amazing experience, a lot of people it was their first boxing match because obviously, they’re from Bournemouth there hasn’t been many down here.
“Hopefully we can continue that and always bring good nights down here and great atmospheres as well. But it’s been incredible to receive support from the entire town.”
He values the support of the community. Even in his gruelling fight with Chamberlain, it turned out to be vital.
“The crowd was behind me the entire time, it was just incredible and I guess that’s what helped me push me on and keep me working even though I was so tired,” he said.
Billam-Smith had known the Londoner would be a demanding opponent. “He had the dislocated shoulder against (Wadi) Camacho, and he got through that fight. He went 10 rounds with Lawrence (Okolie) and he got dropped as well. So people who get dropped by Lawrence don’t usually see the final bell, and he managed to get through that,” Billam-Smith said.
“So I’m well aware of how tough he was and obviously a massive opportunity for him so he wasn’t going to lay down. So I knew it was always going to be a tough night but I just had to keep pressing the pace because I’ve always said that is my best attribute, the work rate and the variety of shots and using a bullying tactic as such in there.”
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