Chris Billam-Smith stops game Mateusz Masternak at start of eighth, defends cruiserweight belt

Chris Billam-Smith - Photo by Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

Dec

Chris Billam-Smith came on strong to overturn a spirited performance from Mateusz Masternak, scoring an eighth-round retirement in front of a lively crowd on Sunday at the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England.

Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 5-rated cruiserweight, tried to take the initiative early by seizing ring center but had to eat several right hands in the early going.

The Polish challenger, a 17-year veteran who entered the fight ranked No. 9 by The Ring, was in his first world title shot and looked to make good on his big chance.

By the fourth round the hometown favorite was sporting a cut over his left eye. However, his corner was able to control to cut and it was never an issue.

Many of the rounds were keenly contested only for Masternak (47-6, 31 KOs) to enjoy success in the late part of each round.

However, late in the seventh round the defending titleholder dramatically changed the course of the fight when he found a home for a pair of body shots, which slowed Masternak. Between rounds, Masternak reveled to his corner he had broken ribs. His corner called a halt at 0:02 of the eighth.

At the time of the stoppage, Masternak was ahead on two of the three scorecards 68-65, while the third scorecard had the contest even.

Afterwards, Billam-Smith spoke to Sky Sports about the fight and his future plans.

“I made it hard for myself, I was trying too hard to land one big shot,” he said. “The right hook done it; I knew I hurt him because he slowed right down after that.

“I was finding myself, finding the jab, not looking for singles. He pulled out in the end, which is a shame because I would have shown maturity and adapted with the performance.

“I’ve never shied away from a fight, me and Richard [Riakporhe] fought in around our 10th [pro bouts], it was a risk for both of us and the rematch would be amazing.”

As well as Riakporhe, who is his WBO mandatory, he also owes the man he beat for the title, Lawrence Okolie, a contractually obliged rematch.

The fight took part on a Sunday because Billam-Smith’s beloved hometown, AFC Bournemouth, were playing away to Manchester United on the Saturday and CBS wanted the local soccer fans to be able to get home to watch him fight so requested the fight be moved back a day.