Proud Father: Chris Billam-Smith treats cruiserweight title as his “second child”

Chris Billam-Smith

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH says he doesnโ€™t want to be โ€œa flash in the panโ€ ahead of the first defence of his WBO cruiserweight belt. The 33-year-old will be on home turf again when he fights Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak on Sunday December 10 at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Billam-Smith, now ranked second only to world champion Jai Opetaia, has seen his stock rise considerably since winning the title from Lawrence Okolie in a foul-filled encounter at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in May.

โ€œI donโ€™t want to be a flash in the pan,โ€ Billam-Smith said at todayโ€™s launch press conference for his fight against Masternak, who is regarded as the ninth best cruiser on the planet.

โ€œIโ€™ve won the [WBO] world title and I never want to let it go,” the 33-year-old continued. “Iโ€™m so motivated, more motivated than ever before. Thereโ€™s a different type of motivation because youโ€™re not just chasing something, youโ€™re trying to hold on to something and someoneโ€™s trying to take something thatโ€™s yours. As a father thatโ€™s like my second child. That honour of holding the belt I want to keep.โ€

His trainer Shane McGuigan and promoter Ben Shalom spoke of the potential for a close fight with both boxers being similar in style. The Brit, 18-1 (12), is currently priced at 1/5 with Bet365 while the Pole is 7/2. Billam-Smith and Masternak do like to fight up close and both possess sturdy whiskers. McGuigan, however, pointed out one advantage his fighter will enjoy.

โ€œI can see the two of them hurting each other throughout the fight but I donโ€™t think heโ€™s boxed anyone as quick in terms of short-range combinations that Chris does,โ€ McGuigan said.

โ€œHeโ€™s incredibly tough. Heโ€™s boxed [Yuniel] Dorticos, heโ€™s boxed [Tony] Bellew, big one-punch knockout artists. Theyโ€™re not slow but [have] good timing. Chris, he surprises you. Itโ€™s one of those fights, itโ€™s going to be edge of your seat. Heโ€™s [Masternak] probably the most well-rounded boxer heโ€™s boxed. Heโ€™s dangerous at all ranges and it should be a fantastic fight.โ€

British fans may remember Masternak, 47-5 (31), from that close points defeat to Bellew in December 2015. In a career spanning 17 years, the Polish fighter – a former European champion – has only been stopped once (by Grigory Drozd in 2013) and this contest with Billam-Smith will represent his first shot at a sanctioning body belt.

โ€œFor 17 years I wait for this time when I can have an opportunity to get a title,โ€ Masternak said through a translator.

โ€œDuring the 17 years I was winning, I was losing. Iโ€™ve had tough fights but now is the time to get my dreams for myself and for my fans and for Poland too.โ€

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