Chris Billam-Smith has hit again at Ryan Rozicki’s “irrelevant” declare that the Canadian can forestall a hometown victory in Saturday’s cruiserweight battle in Bournemouth, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Billam-Smith returns to motion for the primary time since April 2025 when he faces Rozicki on the Bournemouth Worldwide Centre (BIC), the venue the place the previous world champion beforehand retained the WBO cruiserweight title.
The 2 have been concerned in an intense face-off on Bournemouth seafront on Tuesday forward of headlining Zuffa Boxing’s first UK present, the place big-hitter Rozicki reiterated his perception that he can result in Billam-Smith’s first profession stoppage.
On getting Saturday’s 10-round showdown finished in three rounds or much less, Rozicki advised Sky Sports activities: “Hopefully shorter. I’m very confident.
“We will attempt to not take as a lot injury whereas we’re going for the knockout. If it does [go to points], I misplaced.
“I’m not getting a points decision here. We all know that, so it’s a knockout or get knocked out.”
Billam-Smith himself performed down Rozicki’s declare, telling Sky Sports activities: “I’ve heard individuals say it [they will inside three rounds] earlier than – it is irrelevant come battle evening.
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Billam-Smith guarantees ‘fireworks’ in his house battle in opposition to Rozicki
“I’ve trained for every possible outcome in my favour. I’m ready for 10 rounds. We’ll see what happens after, if he makes it past the third.”
Billam-Smith added: “I’ve had plenty of people in the past think exactly the same and fully believe the same thing – especially people that have come here to the BIC.
“They’ve thought they’re coming in right here and are going to do a lot of me, so I can do what I all the time do right here and win.”
‘Rozicki has been damage up to now!’
Billam-Smith held the WBO cruiserweight title between Could 2023 and November 2024, when he misplaced to Gilberto Ramirez, with the 35-year-old eager to ship a press release efficiency on Saturday as he appears to maneuver again in the direction of difficult for world titles.
“Every fight I go into, I want to do the best job on someone and a better job than anyone else has done,” Billiam-Smith insisted. “He [Rozicki] has been damage up to now.
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Billam-Smith and Rozicki sat down with one another forward of their battle on Zuffa Boxing 7
“The bell went at the end of the first against Oscar Rivas and that probably saved him from a knockdown and maybe even a stoppage if there had been 30 second left, but there wasn’t.
“He acquired via it and he rumbled on, does what he does. I feel I can get it finished inside [the distance].”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki this Saturday live on Sky Sports, with live coverage on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm. Get Sky Sports activities or stream boxing with no contract.
