Billam-Smith Defends WBO World Cruiserweight Title, Beats Masternak

Bournemouth-born Chris Billam-Smith arguably the most popular athlete in the city, successfully defended his WBO world cruiserweight title, turning away Polish invader Mateusz Masternak who retired on his stool after seven rounds with a cracked rib on Sunday evening.

The win goes into the books as a TKO8 as the bell rang before the fight was waived off.

Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) was making was first defense of the title he won with an upset of previously undefeated Nigerian-born Briton Lawrence Okolie.

That contest was notable for a preposterous scorecard.

Although Billam-Smith had Okolie on the canvas three times and Okolie had a point deducted, one of the judges scored the fight a draw.

However on Sunday evening, Masternak (47-6) had the edge after six frames.

Billam-Smith came on strong in the seventh and that proved to be the final round of the fight. His next fight is expected to be a rematch with countryman Richard Riakporhe who saddled him with his lone defeat, winning a split decision when both were up-and-comers.

Billam-Smith is trained by Shane McGuigan. Masternak had won six straight coming in since losing a 12-round decision to Cuban KO artist Yuniel Dorticos in 2018.