Sports

Chris Billam-Smith beats Mateusz Masternak to defend WBO cruiserweight title

  • By Bobbie Jackson
  • BBC Sport

Image supply, LAWRENCE LUSTIG

Image caption,

Chris Billam-Smith (proper) has gained 13 of his fights inside the space

Briton Chris Billam-Smith retained his WBO cruiserweight title as Mateusz Masternak retired in Bournemouth.

The contest was waved off by referee John Latham two seconds into spherical eight after Pole Masternak sustained an harm.

Billam-Smith struggled to match Masternak early on, however his work on the physique in spherical seven paid dividends.

It was Billam-Smith’s first defence of his title.

He prolonged his profitable streak to 10 and his total file boasts 19 victories from 20 fights. He has misplaced solely to Richard Riakporhe in 2019, and a rematch along with his British rival could possibly be subsequent.

On the potential of going through Riakporhe, who was on the Bournemouth International Centre, Billam-Smith informed Sky Sports: “I’ve by no means shied away from a struggle.

“Me and Richard boxed in our 10th struggle. We had related data – it was a danger for each of us.

“It will be amazing, the rematch. I’m much better than that. He might look at that and fancy it.”

Champion delivers for loyal following

Masternak made the stroll first and he was not with out help with small pockets of Polish followers dotted across the area.

Billam-Smith, carrying black shorts with gold trim, regarded steely confronted as he made the stroll down the brief ramp with ‘Hail’ by Kano, who was in attendance, taking part in over the audio system as the group rose to their toes in help of the house fighter.

“He’s one of our own, he’s one of our own”, was belted out by Billam-Smith’s loyal supporters simply after the primary bell rang and, buoyed by that backing, he stepped ahead and located pleasure from the outset.

Billam-Smith was the aggressor, consistently forcing Masternak on to the ropes in spherical one and utilizing his bigger body to lean on his rival in an try to drain the power, though his eagerness to shut the space noticed him stroll on to a looping proper in spherical two as Masternak began to settle in.

Trainer Shane McGuigan urged Billam-Smith to get behind his jab when he returned to the nook and he put these phrases into motion throughout spherical three, discovering his vary after which closing the space with better warning earlier than unloading with combos.

By spherical 4, the champion was beginning to swell across the left eye and Masternak started focusing on that space, along with his proper hand discovering a house recurrently.

Rhythm was a difficulty for Billam-Smith and he went again to fundamentals for spherical 5, tucking his chin down on his chest and fascinating within the clinch within the hope of touchdown some brief pictures in shut.

Masternak was the extra cell of the 2 because the struggle reached the halfway level, shifting across the ring making an attempt to create angles for his assaults with Billam-Smith wanting a bit of flat-footed.

Billam-Smith began to add extra selection in his assaults by spherical seven and his work on the physique got here good with Masternak exhibiting indicators that he was working out of steam.

It led to complicated circumstances as Masternak was gradual to stand up from his stool for spherical eight and, after complaints from Billam-Smith over the delay, Latham waved the bout off.

Masternak appeared to have suffered an harm to his ribs on account of Billam-Smith’s choice to change his sport plan.

“I knew I had hurt him as he slowed right down. That ended the fight,” Billam-Smith mentioned.

“I imagine I might have gotten to him. I began discovering the jab. It was a disgrace he pulled out as I imagine I might have confirmed maturity.

“I revered him a lot within the build-up. I mentioned he can be my hardest struggle to date and he proved it. I made it arduous for myself; I used to be making an attempt too arduous to land one massive shot.”

Price on monitor for world title shot

Image supply, LAWRENCE LUSTIG

Image caption,

Lauren Price turned the primary Welsh boxer, male or feminine, to win an Olympic gold medal on the 2020 Games in Tokyo

Earlier within the night time, Britain’s Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price made straightforward work of Italy’s Silvia Bortot, profitable on factors after eight rounds to cap off a positive 12 months.

Welshwoman Price walked out to Love Inc’s ‘You’re a Superstar’ and she or he regarded each little bit of that as she prolonged her unbeaten file to six. She has 4 victories in 2023, and this win units her on a trajectory in the direction of a world title.

Price is eager to face the winner of Natasha Jonas v Mikaela Mayer, who meet on 20 January, when Jonas places her IBF welterweight title on the road.

Olympic champion Price informed Sky Sports: “I’m enhancing every struggle and that is what I need. I hold getting higher and higher.

“I believe I beat Tash and Mayer and that’s what I want in 2024.”

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