A new script: Why not Jack Massey against Chris Billam-Smith?

Trainer Joe Gallagher hopes Jack Massey’s victory over Isaac Chamberlain last month means he will be considered as a potential challenger for WBO cruiserweight titleholder Chris Billam-Smith.

Massey (22-2, 12 KOs) surprised defeated Chamberlain over 12 rounds on June 15 to earn the European title in a result that surprised a lot of people.

“I was surprised when someone told me [Massey] was the underdog,” said Gallagher. “I didn’t see that. There was four weeks’ notice, and I was a bit apprehensive about taking it seeing as Isaac was already training for that show for a big fight himself. But the opportunity came, and since the Joe Parker fight [which Massey lost over 10 rounds at the start of 2023], he’s only had the one outing – and I think he’s a force to be reckoned with in this division. It was an opportunity, and Jack went down there and did the business.” 

On the same bill, Billam-Smith made the second defense of his world title against Richard Riakophe, and Gallagher felt the victors tore up a script written by network Sky Sports, which the coach felt were eyeing an all-London clash between Riakporhe and Chamberlain.

“I just think with Sky, if Riakporhe had won and Chamberlain had won, that was the big London fight they wanted to make – but that didn’t happen,” Gallagher said. “Billam-Smith won, and Jack Massey won, and I’d love to see that fight. I think Jack Massey’s proved his worth now, with Joe Parker, and he’s beat Isaac Chamberlain, and he should get that shot at Chris Billam-Smith.”

Adding to the potential plot, Massey holds an amateur win over Billam-Smith.

“There’s a backstory there,” Gallagher continued. “With them both fighting in the amateurs in the ABAs. Listen, they’re two good guys. The fight doesn’t have to be sold on trash talk. They’re both very similar, and stylistically wise, character, outside the ring, things they’ve experienced in life, with having kids – the pair of them – getting married – the pair of them – and I think it’s a good, solid domestic world title fight. And everyone’s looking for big names at the moment, but I just think why not make that fight? If Riakporhe and Chamberlain had fought, that would have been the big London one to try and make.”

There was more to Massey’s victory than just moving into title contention, however. Gallagher was a devout disciple of iconic Manchester, England, trainer and Champ’s Camp founder Phil Martin, and Gallagher has moved his team of fighters into the historic gym.

Back in 1994, the exciting Champ’s Camp cruiserweight Carl Thompson traveled to Italy to win the European cruiserweight belt against Massimiliano Duran, and the anniversary was not lost on Gallagher, who is keen to make sure Martin’s name lives on.

“[Duran-Thompson was] Phil Martin’s last bout, and we went down to London [for Massey-Chamberlain] and brought it back home on the 30-year anniversary,” Gallagher said.