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Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KO’s) is poised to defend his WBO World Cruiserweight Championship on Sunday, December 10th. The event promises to be a thrilling affair as Polish powerhouse Mateusz Masternak (47-5, 31 KO’s), a former European and IBF and WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight Champion, steps into the ring to challenge Billam-Smith. The championship bout will headline the highly anticipated BOXXER card at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Billam-Smith, gearing up for his first title defense, recognizes the formidable challenge ahead. “Mateusz Masternak is a superb fighter, he’s proved that throughout his career. He’s got double the amount of fights that I have - he’s actually got more KO wins than I have fights - and his only losses are at the very top level. His style matches well with mine, and I think it’s going to be a very exciting fight. I’m really looking forward to it,” remarked the champion.
Masternak, riding a six-fight win streak and returning to the UK for the first time since 2015, expressed his respect for Billam-Smith.
“I think Chris Billam-Smith is a very good boxer. He showed his warrior soul in his last fight and proved that he deserves to be champion. I have a lot of respect for him in that way, but I believe more in my skills and my experience. I’ve been dreaming of the world championship since I started boxing.
My boxing journey has been like a movie, all the highs and lows. I hope in December we get the best scene. I’m looking forward to fighting in England again; the fans create a great atmosphere there,” said Masternak.
Billam-Smith, with his sights set on the future, has pledged his allegiance to BOXXER by signing a new extended deal, which includes a commitment to a rematch with Lawrence Okolie if he retains the championship.
BOXXER founder and CEO Ben Shalom emphasized the magnitude of the upcoming clash, stating, “Chris Billam-Smith wanted his first defense of the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship to be a big crowd-pleaser of a fight in his hometown. Mateusz Masternak ticks all the boxes; he's ranked number five in the world, he's got a ton of experience and he rarely takes a backwards step.
He’s a very dangerous opponent, and Billam-Smith is taking a serious risk here. Anyone who has ever experienced a BOXXER event at the Bournemouth International Centre will know just how crazy the atmosphere gets in there, and I think this one will take that to a new level. The crowd is going to raise the roof. We're ending the year with a guaranteed Christmas cracker, and I can't wait."
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