Two weeks ago, Chris Billam-Smith finally became a world title holder, and he dedicated the achievement to his mother. His victory by a majority decision over the undefeated Lawrence Okolie made him the WBO Cruiserweight champion at Bournemouth’s Vitality stadium. He held the European and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles before. UK-based promoters Boxxer and Sky take care of the Epsom-born boxer. So today, Sky Sports shared footage of the newly crowned champion engaged in a deadly slugfest with fellow Briton Isaac Chamberlain. Fans couldn’t have asked for more.
After winning the vacant IBF International Cruiserweight title in 2021, Chamberlain challenged Billam-Smith for his regional titles. The match occurred on July 30, last year, at Bournemouth’s Bournemouth International Centre. The bout went to the decisions, with all three judges scoring 117-111 in favor of Billam Smith. The battle, by all accounts, kept the fans on the edge. In the first round, a slew of jabs from Billam-Smith got hold of Chamberlain.
Round one & two – Chris Billam-Smith vs. Isaac Chamberlain
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With the help of cross and combinations, the former forced the Londoner on the ropes, who tried his best to ease the onslaught. ‘The Gentleman’ didn’t let off the pressure in the second round. His left hooks connected, unsettling the Chamberlain. Just when Billam-Smith started having the upper hand, ‘Chambo’ succeeded in delivering a quality body shot through a left hook, forcing Billam-Smith to pull back. With his back on the ropes, Billam-Smith tried freeing himself with a body shot. However, Chamberlain’s left hook made an instant connection.
This round between Chris Billam-Smith & Isaac Chamberlain was legendary 🚫@boxxer | @IChamberlain_ | Friday Night ⏰ pic.twitter.com/9KeBZpsrxC
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 13, 2023
Before the round ended, a powerful right from Billam-Smith seized Chamberlain. The third round ended with Billam-Smith having the upper hand. However, Chamberlain found his flair draining out the Epsom-born orthodox boxer by the fourth round. It was a brutal physical struggle between the two. Billam-Smith tried more forceful tactics, but Chamberlain seemed to regain his flair, resisting the former’s powerful punches and wriggling out open spaces for him to continue.
A duel to remember
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Isaac Chamberlain succeeded in either cornering or getting Billam-Smith on the ropes. By the last rounds, exhaustion took over both the boxers. However, Billam-Smith mustered himself to pummel Chamberlain. But the latter was no pushover, as he posted his responses with a vengeance. The grueling clash finally ended, and the decision allowed Billam-Smith to retain his titles.
Chris Billam-Smith credited Isaac Chamberlain for an incredible fight and called him a warrior. In the words of Johnny Nelson, former Cruiserweight world champion and now an analyst with Sky Sports, “That’s got to be the fight of the year so far because what these guys showed in pure heart and determination.” No wonder, despite the fight being nearly one year old, fourteen thousand followers have already viewed the post on Twitter.
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How would you rate the fight between Billam-Smith and Chamberlain? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.
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