UNBEATEN cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith revealed the ‘winning feeling’ inside Shane McGuigan’s gym.
Billam-Smith (6-0) (5) has spoken about the positive atmosphere surrounding the London gym, as himself and teammates have enjoyed a successful run of late.
Scotsman Josh Taylor defeated former world champion Viktor Postol on June 23, while Lee McGregor and Chantelle Cameron picked up wins on the undercard enhancing their successful starts as professionals, Billam-Smith also won a week prior.
“It’s a real good vibe in the gym,” Billam-Smith claimed. “Josh, Lee and Chantelle won recently and so did I, so we were all training together and grafting together and we were all looking to put in good performances.
“All of us came out on top and obviously Josh had a really hard test against Postol and we were all buzzing for him and now he’s entered the World Boxing Super Series himself at super-lightweight.
“The gym’s buzzing, everyone progressing as expected or if not quicker than expected so it’s a real good winning feeling in the gym.”
As Taylor enters the beginning of the WBSS, another McGuigan boxer is looking to win the tournament, as WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves meets Callum Smith in the 168lbs final.
Although a date is yet to be announced, preparations for Groves’ third world title defence are well underway, and Billiam-Smith revealed his six-foot three frame could be used in sparring to replicate the tall stature “Mundo” possesses.
“They might use me as I think Callum’s around six-three, six-four so it’s a similar height to me, he’s got fast hands as have I,” Billiam-Smith said.
“Me and Shane spoke about it a while ago before George got through to the final, and [Shane] said it would be good sparring so quite possibly.”
The Bournemouth boxer is part of a talent packed division that has been active both domestically and internationally, with the WBSS tournament and Lawrence Okolie defeating Isaac Chamberlain in a grudge match and Luke Watkins for the Commonwealth title.
“It’s exciting on both sides, obviously internationally with the World Boxing Super Series its been fantastic,” Billiam-Smith said.
“Some of the best fights from the last 12 months have come through the cruiserweights in that tournament and now the final has been announced for a few weeks time [July 21] so I’m definitely looking forward to that one.
“Domestically the division has been getting a lot of hype around it recently with prospects fighting each other and unifying titles so it’s busy which is great for me.”
Although Billiam-Smith acknowledged the talent surrounding the cruiserweight division, the 27 year-old revealed he is not targeting a specific name as he looks to map out his next move within the coming week.
“We’re looking at I think September or October time [for the next fight] but I need to sit down with the team this week,” Billiam-Smith said.
“I’m heading back up to London this week so we’ll have a sit down with them and discuss what the plans are.
“I’m not targeting specifically names but I’m in it to win titles and become the best I can so there no particular names but whoever’s got the belts you want to fight them as they’re the best and I’m in this game to fight the best and prove I’m the best.”
