Chris Billam-Smith Moves Closer To Dream World Title Shot

Chris Billam-Smith Moves Closer To Dream World Title Shot

By Oliver McManus

Chris Billam-Smith moved a step closer to a dream world title fight at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium victory over Armend Xhoxhaj after a simply relentless five rounds.

The Gentleman was back at the Bournemouth International Centre for the second time this year, and he overcame a tougher than expected Kosovan opponent to move to 17-1.

It was a fast and peppy start from Xhoxhaj who looked to frustrate the hometown man from settling into an early rhythm. The Kosovan cruiserweight was undeterred by his hostile reception and immediately began pressing his case: swinging erratically but connecting with relative frequency.

Billam-Smith began to find his feet in round two and got two, three clean uppercuts out of his locker as well as a brash right hand across the cheek of Xhoxhaj. Billam-Smith possessed the heavier hands but was being stifled by the chaotic workrate of his opponent.

Into the third and Billam-Smith found himself backed up against the ropes with Xhoxhaj showing no signs of slowing down. The Kosovan was digging in and proving a relentless thorn in the side of Billam-Smith.

The fourth round proved to be the calm before the storm, with Billam-Smith loosening his limbs towards the end and getting into range.

And then, in the fifth, pure unrelenting thunder. Billam-Smith caught his man with a shot of dreams – Xhoxhaj fell to the canvas almost in slow-motion as a capacity crowd at the BIC erupted with elation.

Concern turned to Xhoxhaj who laid prone on the canvas with medics waved in by the referee before the Kosovan was cheered to his feet.

The co-main event saw Dan Azeez look classy as ever to defeat Rocky Fielding to defend his British light-heavyweight title and claim the vacant Commonwealth championship.

Azeez, in truth, looked a step above his man from the off. He pushed forward with a quiet confidence and made use of his natural physical advantages.

By the end of the second round Fielding was already red to the body: Azeez moving through the ring really well, utilizing the full space, but keeping his work tidy and at close range.

Azeez, whose domestic catalogue of wins since 2018 features Charlie Duffield, Lawrence Osueke, Ricky Summers, Andre Sterling, Hosea Burton, Reece Cartwright and Shakan Pitters, controlled the pace of the contest to a tee.

On occasion Fielding would counter with a small flurry of shots – prompting Azeez to take a step back and reset – but that was few and far between. Fielding offered very little by way of resistance and looked pretty passive after the first couple of rounds.

Fielding looked beleaguered, bordering on battered, as he was dropped in the final stages of the seventh round. It didn’t seem as though the Liverpudlian’s heart was in the contest and with Azeez’ timing and range neatly dialed it started to become a pretty sorry spectacle for Fielding.

Into the eighth and Rocky Fielding was eating at the jab buffet and being bullied at the ropes – the ref rightly stepped in and called a day on the contest. 18-0 for Azeez who added the Commonwealth title to his British belt.

Caroline Dubois absolutely shellacked Sofia Rodriguez to move to 5-0 within a minute of the opening bell. The 21 year old had Rodrgiuez backed up on the ropes from the very start and unfurled shot after shot to leave the referee with no choice but to call a halt to the contest. In case you didn’t know already, Dubois has all the hallmarks of being the real deal.

In a dose of heavyweight action, Nick Campbell took on Steve Robinson in what was scheduled for eight rounds.

Robinson looked a little confused through the first three rounds with Campbell having found his range early doors and tagging his man in the second and third.

A big left from Robinson early on the fourth changed the momentum of the fight completely and had Campbell on his backside. Less than a minute later Campbell returned to the canvas for a second time.

The Scottish fighter was quick to beat the count on both occasions but his Geordie opponent was free-flowing in his attack and had Campbell running ragged. A stinging salvo with the bell looming saw Chas Coakley step in and call an end to the contest with just three seconds left of the fourth round. He’s now 6-1.

Cori Gibbs had no less than three points taken away from him after his gum shield kept coming out in his contest against Jimmy First. The contest was pretty even and, but for the deductions, would have been scored a draw but First ran out winner 76-73 and extended his record to 14-0.

Lee Cutler, one of two Bournemouth-based boxers on the undercard, moved to 12-1 in what was far from the most polished six rounder you’ll ever witness but one that provided good value for money. 60-54 against Joel Julio.

Michael McKinson didn’t look the sharpest against Roberto Ariaza – a man who had lost three times previously – but he’ll be pleased to have rounded off the year with a win. The Portsmouth puncher outpointed his Nicaraguan foe 59-55 on the cards to go 23-1 with sterner tests surely awaiting him in 2023.

The other Bournemouth man on the undercard, Mace Ruegg, moved 8-0 with a 40-36 win over Jahfieus Faure; whilst Hull’s Harvey Lambert made a successful start to life as a professional with a second round stoppage victory over Sebastian Wojtan.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer