Promoter promises big fights when Chris Billam-Smith returns

Chris Billam-Smith lost his WBO cruiserweight title to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in Saudi Arabia, but in doing so the Bournemouth hero won plaudits for his heart and bravery.

Billam-Smith was courageous in defeat, but lost a 12-round decision with Ramirez adding to his WBA belt to become unified champion.

Billam-Smith has vowed to fight on, and he wants to compete at a high level and is in no mood to take a step back in class. He could head to the WBC Convention to press his claims for a fight for their belt, with Noel Mikaelyan in the champion’s chair and Ramirez likely to go on and fight IBF champion Jai Opetaia later in the year.

Billam-Smith’s promoter, Ben Shalom of Boxxer, was full of praise for his fighter’s performance and grit. 

“It was incredible,” said Shalom. “Every time he fights, he gives everything. The way he handled defeat, he did take punishment but he kept coming and kept having spells of success, it was a huge performance.

“I know the Saudis were hugely impressed by him, and I think they’ll be looking to have him back, which is great. I think he’s going to be straight back in the mix. He’s made himself into a big name in that division now, and there’ll be plenty of big fights for him to come.”