The Bournemouth International Centre in England was the stage for an enthralling night of boxing, where champions defended their titles and emerging talents made their mark. The event was a blend of technical mastery, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of competition, captivating fans with each match.
In the headline event, WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) demonstrated his championship caliber by securing an eighth-round TKO victory over Mateusz Masternak (47-6, 31 KOs). Despite trailing on the scorecards, Billam-Smith's resilience paid off when Masternak retired due to a rib injury, showcasing the unpredictability and drama of boxing.
The light heavyweight division witnessed a powerful display from 2020 Olympic medalist Ben “The Surgeon” Whittaker (5-0, 4 KOs), who delivered a stunning fourth-round knockout against Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj (11-3-1, 3 KOs). Whittaker's performance was a clear statement of his rising potential and a signal of his readiness for more significant challenges in the division. In the female welterweight category, Olympic gold medalist Lauren Price (6-0, 1 KO) continued her impressive transition to the professional ranks with a dominant unanimous decision victory, scoring 80-72 against former European champion Silvia Bortot (11-4-1, 3 KOs).
The super welterweight division saw Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KOs) earn the vacant English title with a points victory over Obi Egbunike (8-3-1, 1 KO), marking a significant achievement in his career. In the welterweight division, Michael McKinson (26-1, 4 KOs) rebounded from his only career loss with a commanding ten-round performance against previously unbeaten Musah Lawson (11-1, 9 KOs), underlining his determination to climb the welterweight ranks.
Image Credit: Sky Sports