billam-smith

Chris Billam-Smith’s Highlight Reel Knockout Tops A Big Night In Bournemouth

Written by Jared Parry on 18th December 2022.

Chris Billam-Smith edges closer to a world title shot as he violently stopped Armend Xhoxhaj in front of his home crowd in Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith overcame four tricky rounds to brutally close the show in round five.

The Bournemouth man was welcomed to the ring amongst a cacophony of noise as his faithful fans came out in force to support their man. However, Xhoxhaj wouldn’t be intimidated, as he got onto the front foot immediately, launching hooks with both hands.

The local man found himself unsettled in round two, as Xhoxhaj threw a vicious right hand which momentarily stunned Billam-Smith.

Billam-Smith settled down throughout the third and fourth, choosing his punches wisely, and implementing his jab more. The Bournemouth man continued to find success, tagging Xhoxhaj with wide right hooks throughout the fourth.

Billam-Smith came out with violent intentions in round five. A left hook was landed to send Xhoxhaj into survival mode, Billam-Smith sensed a finish and unloaded a barrage of punches, resulting in a right-uppercut sending Xhoxhaj to the floor and ending the fight.

Celebrations were momentarily paused as Xhoxhaj was still down, but the Kosovan rose to his feet and be applauded by the Bournemouth crowd.

Following the victory, promoter Ben Shalom claims he wants Billam-Smith to fight IBF world champion Jai Opetaia at the Vitality Stadium.

“We’ll be back in the summer at the stadium, all the world champions want to fight in the UK and we’re going to see it.

“Jai Opetaia wants this fight, Chris Billam-Smith wants this fight.

“He’s going to fight for a world title in Bournemouth and it’s going to be unbelievable.”

Elsewhere on the card, Dan Azeez retained his British title and added the vacant Commonwealth title to his collection as he defeated Rocky Fielding by stoppage in the eighth. Azeez dominated fielding, who found himself on the back-foot most of the fight, but a body shot from Azeez in the seventh floored Fielding before his team threw in the towel in round eight.

Caroline Dubois continued her rapid ascension in the professional ranks, as she blew Sofia Rodriguez away in 60 seconds.

Former BOXXER Series winner Cori Gibbs was dealt his first loss of his career, as he was outpointed by undefeated Jimmy First in a bizarre encounter. Gibbs would be o top in the early rounds, but his gumshield became dislodged at multiple stages in the fight, seeing him deducted points in rounds four, five and six. The referee’s scorecard read 76-73 in favour of First.

Steve Robinson picked up a sensational stoppage victory over Scottish heavyweight champion Nick Campbell. After a comical weigh in, the pair embroiled in battle. Robinson was behind on the cards throughout the first three rounds, the underdog rallied back to drop Campbell twice in the fourth leading to a stoppage win for Robinson.

Michael McKinson returned to winning ways following his loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr last time out, as he defeated Roberto Arriaza over six rounds. Local man Lee Cutler also picked up a points victory over six rounds, outpointing Joel Julio.

Mace Ruegg moved to 8-0, outpointing Jafheus Faure over four rounds. Finally Harvey Lambert entered the pro game with a stoppage victory, stopping Sebastian Wojtan in two rounds.