Billam-Smith vs. Masternak

At the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England, WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith successfully defended his title with an eighth-round TKO against Mateusz Masternak, who retired due to an apparent rib injury despite leading on the scorecards. In the light heavyweight division, 2020 Olympic medallist Ben "The Surgeon" Whittaker scored a decisive fourth-round knockout over Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj. Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price dominated former European champion Silvia Bortot in a female welterweight bout, winning with a unanimous score of 80-72. In the super welterweight division, Lee Cutler earned the vacant English title with a points victory over Obi Egbunike. Welterweight Michael McKinson outpointed previously unbeaten Musah Lawson in a commanding ten-round performance, marking a significant step in his career following his only loss to Vergil Ortiz.

Chris Billam-Smith is poised to defend his British WBO cruiserweight title in an electrifying bout against Poland’s Mateusz Masternak at the Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, England. Spanning 12 rounds, this duel promises to showcase the best of cruiserweight boxing.

Billam-Smith recently secured his current title in a thrilling encounter in Bournemouth. In this nail-biter, he clinched victory from Lawrence Okolie via a majority decision. Hailing from Epsom, Surrey, the 33-year-old is no stranger to championship belts, having held British, Commonwealth, and European titles earlier in his career. On facing Masternak, Billam-Smith remarked, “His style matches well with mine and I think it’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

Mateusz Masternak, on the other hand, brings to the table vast experience under his belt. Last seen in action in Zakopane, Poland, Masternak clinched a unanimous decision victory over Jason Whateley. The Wroclaw-based boxer, at 36, previously held the IBF Intercontinental and European titles and is eagerly anticipating his first crack at a world championship in the UK. “My boxing journey has been like a movie, all the highs and lows. I hope in December we get the best scene,” he expressed, highlighting his anticipation and respect for the English boxing atmosphere.

Both fighters exude respect for each other’s skills and achievements. While Masternak acknowledges Billam-Smith’s “warrior soul” and his deserving champion status, he remains confident in his own prowess, underlining his belief in his skills and experience. With two elite cruiserweights set to clash, boxing enthusiasts can expect fireworks come December.

Main card:

▪️Chris Billam-Smith vs. Mateusz Masternak, 12 rounds, for Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title ▪️Lee Cutler vs. Kingsley Egbunike, 10 rounds, for the vacant English super welterweight title ▪️Ben Whittaker vs. Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj, 6 rounds, light heavyweight ▪️Lauren Price vs. Silvia Bortot, 8 rounds, welterweight ▪️Lewis Edmondson vs. Dmytro Fedas, 6 rounds, light heavyweight ▪️Michael McKinson vs. Musah Lawson, 10 rounds, welterweight ▪️Francesca Hennessy vs. Lucrecia Belen Arrieta, 6 rounds, bantamweight