Happy father: Chris Billam-Smith treats cruiserweight title as his “second kid” | Boxing Information
CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH claims he does not want to be “a flash in the pan” forward of the first defence of his WBO cruiserweight belt. The 33-year-aged will be on residence turf again when he fights Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak on Sunday December 10 at the Bournemouth Global Centre.
Billam-Smith, now rated second only to globe winner Jai Opetaia, has found his stock increase considerably given that profitable the title from Lawrence Okolie in a foul-loaded come upon at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in Could.
“I don’t want to be a flash in the pan,” Billam-Smith claimed at today’s launch press convention for his combat against Masternak, who is regarded as the ninth greatest cruiser on the earth.
“I’ve gained the [WBO] entire world title and I never want to let it go,” the 33-yr-old continued. “I’m so inspired, more enthusiastic than ever in advance of. There is a different sort of motivation for the reason that you’re not just chasing a thing, you’re seeking to maintain on to something and someone’s making an attempt to choose some thing that is yours. As a father which is like my 2nd baby. That honour of holding the belt I want to keep.”
His coach Shane McGuigan and promoter Ben Shalom spoke of the potential for a shut battle with both boxers being related in design and style. The Brit, 18-1 (12), is now priced at 1/5 with Wager365 even though the Pole is 7/2. Billam-Smith and Masternak do like to battle up close and both of those have durable whiskers. McGuigan, nevertheless, pointed out one gain his fighter will take pleasure in.
“I can see the two of them hurting each individual other during the combat but I really don’t imagine he’s boxed everyone as speedy in terms of limited-assortment combos that Chris does,” McGuigan said.
“He’s very hard. He’s boxed [Yuniel] Dorticos, he’s boxed [Tony] Bellew, huge a single-punch knockout artists. They are not sluggish but [have] good timing. Chris, he surprises you. It is just one of all those fights, it is likely to be edge of your seat. He’s [Masternak] possibly the most perfectly-rounded boxer he’s boxed. He’s dangerous at all ranges and it ought to be a excellent battle.”
British followers could keep in mind Masternak, 47-5 (31), from that near points defeat to Bellew in December 2015. In a vocation spanning 17 several years, the Polish fighter – a former European winner – has only been stopped when (by Grigory Drozd in 2013) and this contest with Billam-Smith will characterize his 1st shot at a sanctioning entire body belt.
“For 17 several years I wait around for this time when I can have an opportunity to get a title,” Masternak reported by means of a translator.
“During the 17 decades I was profitable, I was getting rid of. I’ve had hard fights but now is the time to get my dreams for myself and for my followers and for Poland much too.”
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CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH claims he does not want to be “a flash in the pan” forward of the first defence of his WBO cruiserweight belt. The 33-year-aged will be on residence turf again when he fights Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak on Sunday December 10 at the Bournemouth Global Centre.
Billam-Smith, now rated second only to globe winner Jai Opetaia, has found his stock increase considerably given that profitable the title from Lawrence Okolie in a foul-loaded come upon at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in Could.
“I don’t want to be a flash in the pan,” Billam-Smith claimed at today’s launch press convention for his combat against Masternak, who is regarded as the ninth greatest cruiser on the earth.
“I’ve gained the [WBO] entire world title and I never want to let it go,” the 33-yr-old continued. “I’m so inspired, more enthusiastic than ever in advance of. There is a different sort of motivation for the reason that you’re not just chasing a thing, you’re seeking to maintain on to something and someone’s making an attempt to choose some thing that is yours. As a father which is like my 2nd baby. That honour of holding the belt I want to keep.”
His coach Shane McGuigan and promoter Ben Shalom spoke of the potential for a shut battle with both boxers being related in design and style. The Brit, 18-1 (12), is now priced at 1/5 with Wager365 even though the Pole is 7/2. Billam-Smith and Masternak do like to battle up close and both of those have durable whiskers. McGuigan, nevertheless, pointed out one gain his fighter will take pleasure in.
“I can see the two of them hurting each individual other during the combat but I really don’t imagine he’s boxed everyone as speedy in terms of limited-assortment combos that Chris does,” McGuigan said.
“He’s very hard. He’s boxed [Yuniel] Dorticos, he’s boxed [Tony] Bellew, huge a single-punch knockout artists. They are not sluggish but [have] good timing. Chris, he surprises you. It is just one of all those fights, it is likely to be edge of your seat. He’s [Masternak] possibly the most perfectly-rounded boxer he’s boxed. He’s dangerous at all ranges and it ought to be a excellent battle.”
British followers could keep in mind Masternak, 47-5 (31), from that near points defeat to Bellew in December 2015. In a vocation spanning 17 several years, the Polish fighter – a former European winner – has only been stopped when (by Grigory Drozd in 2013) and this contest with Billam-Smith will characterize his 1st shot at a sanctioning entire body belt.
“For 17 several years I wait around for this time when I can have an opportunity to get a title,” Masternak reported by means of a translator.
“During the 17 decades I was profitable, I was getting rid of. I’ve had hard fights but now is the time to get my dreams for myself and for my followers and for Poland much too.”
