Chris Billam-Smith was successful in his homecoming bout as he got a unanimous decision over Isaac Chamberlain in a fight for the ages to defend his European and Commonwealth titles.
The pair did not need a feeling-out process as they engaged in an exciting firefight right from the opening bell, with neither man giving an inch as they traded. Billam-Smith was being spurred on by his home crowd and was getting the psychological edge in the bout.
Both men seemed to have emptied the tank at the midpoint of the fight, but sneaky body shots from Billam-Smith on the inside seemed to sap energy from Chamberlain. However, Billam-Smith would slow down in the eighth round, and Chamberlain would be the aggressor as he looked to find an opening. Chamberlain poured it on Billam-Smith but would receive a cut over his eye.
As the fight went on, Billam-Smith would find a second wind and would impose his size on Chamberlain. Going into the 11th, Chamberlain's corner was urging their man to go for the knockout as they believed that Billam-Smith was too far ahead on the scorecards. Chamberlain listened but Billam-Smith would be too strong.
The fighters would receive a standing ovation as the bell rang for the final round. Both men were tired but put it all on the line as both would pour pressure on each other. Chamberlain would find success in the final seconds of an action-packed twelfth, but it was just too little too late.
INCREDIBLE FINALE! ????????
Billam-Smith and Chamberlain go at it right up to the bell ??@Boxxer pic.twitter.com/IgeGeJOJvc
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 30, 2022
Billam-Smith would be declared the winner with the scorecards reading 117-111 all in favour of the local man, sparking jubilant celebrations from the crowd. The crowd also gave Chamberlain a huge ovation following the bout, despite booing him on entry, which just proves how much of a spectacle these warriors produced.
Image – Sky Sports Boxing