Chris hasn’t changed, feet is where I beat him,
Cheavon Clarke said following his seventh-round stoppage of former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday.
Clarke, 35, secured the biggest victory of his professional career by dropping Billam-Smith twice before the referee intervened during the Zuffa Boxing 12 main event. The result marks the first time Billam-Smith has been stopped in his professional career. The Londoner, who is Jamaica-born and British-based, moves to a record of 13 wins and 2 defeats, with 10 knockouts.
Billam-Smith, 36, from Bournemouth, saw his record fall to 22-3 with 14 knockouts. The defeat is a significant blow to the former WBO world cruiserweight champion, who had been aiming for a fight against Jai Opetataia next year. That potential matchup, along with any future world title opportunities, is now in doubt after he was left on wobbly legs by Clarke’s power punches in the seventh round.
Clarke breaks Billam-Smith’s professional record
The scheduled 10-round non-title bout carried significant personal history. Clarke had previously defeated Billam-Smith twice during their amateur careers, including a victory in the 2016 National Championships final. While Billam-Smith sought to settle that old score, he instead suffered a more damaging professional defeat against the same opponent.
The contest began with a slow start characterized by significant holding and wrestling. Billam-Smith, dressed in all black, attempted to use his size and strength to work the body and force his way inside, while Clarke, wearing all white, utilized his speed and agility to move in and out of range.
The decisive sequence occurred at 1:24 of the seventh round. Clarke detonated a devastating overhand right that sent Billam-Smith crashing to the canvas, marking the first time the Bournemouth fighter had ever been floored as a professional. This second knockdown left Billam-Smith unsteady on his legs, prompting referee Lee Every to step in and stop the fight.
Billam-Smith immediately protested the decision, while Clarke stood in the ring shrugging his shoulders. I made a mistake, but I felt like I was winning the fight,
Billam-Smith said.
Technical breakdown of the cruiserweight clash
Clarke attributed his success to his opponent’s movement, stating: He doesn’t know how to use his feet. It’s not about having his number, it’s about doing your homework. But I don’t have no beef with Chris. He’s been a world champion, so give him his credit.
He added, I’m happy. Arsenal won and I won. My training camp was good and you saw that in the ring. I’ll take all-comers going forward.
The scoring reflected a competitive fight prior to the stoppage. According to World Boxing News, after six rounds, two judges had the fighters tied with three rounds each, while a third judge had Clarke ahead 4-2. Clarke had landed several clean shots, including a big uppercut and overhand right in the third round, and a heavy right in the fifth. Billam-Smith had responded in the sixth with a body shot and a right hook, but Clarke’s timing prevented him from building sustained momentum.
Clarke, who is not currently ranked in the top 10 by any of the world governing bodies, saw his career prospects significantly improved by this upset.
Spectators watch Zuffa Boxing 12 at Copper Box Arena
The event at the Copper Box Arena featured a card of Zuffa Boxing 12 action. Alongside the main event, the card included a bout between Bentley and Mosley Jr., as well as Parker against Dzambekov, and the unbeaten heavyweight Da’Mazion Vanhouter facing Ivan Balaz.
The arena was not at full capacity, with only the lower tier of seating open for fans. Notable spectators watching from ringside included heavyweight Johnny Fisher, Traitors star King Kenny, and strongman Eddie Hall.