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07/06/2026

Chris Billam-Smith moved back into world title contention with a dramatic stoppage victory over Ryan Rozicki in a gruelling cruiserweight clash on the South Coast.

The hometown hero impressed in front of a packed Bournemouth International Centre but was pushed hard by a tough opponent who had won 20 of his previous 21 fights by knockout.

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith threw everything at Rozicki before finally finding the breakthrough late in the seventh round with a flurry of hooks. As Rozicki staggered back to his corner, his team threw in the towel.

Both fighters received treatment in the ring, with Rozicki requiring oxygen, before embracing and raising their arms to a crowd that applauded their efforts.

Billam-Smith did not take part in any post-fight media duties, and Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White later confirmed both men were taken straight to hospital.

"I've never seen a puncher like that. The power that guy [Rozicki] possesses is something else," Billam-Smith's coach Shane McGuigan told Sky Sports.

"As a friend, as a coach, it was horrible to sit there and watch but he [Billam-Smith] stayed patient, he's been out the ring for a long time and there was definitely some ring rust but he outlasted an extremely tough man."

06/06/2026

David Benavidez moved up in weight and became unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion last month, but Canelo Alvarez believes that has effectively ended any chance of them fighting. The Mexican star has suggested Benavidez will never make super-middleweight again and could even struggle to return to light-heavyweight, ruling out the possibility of a future showdown.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Benavidez disputed those claims.

“I can still be semi-complete at 175, Canelo fought like two or three times there. If he wants to make the fight there, I can lose that weight.

“He is saying it’s impossible, that I can’t go down. I can go down, and if they want that fight, I am 100% ready to give this fight.

“Now, I am kind of frustrated by it. Every time that I do something or win a belt, win a fight, Canelo is there [being mentioned in the background], Canelo, Canelo, Canelo. I can’t do anything there, I want that fight too, [just] as you [fans] want the fight.”

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06/06/2026

Chris Billam-Smith returns to the cruiserweight fray tonight against Ryan Rozicki after more than a year of inactivity.

06/06/2026

Independent boxing coverage.

Anthony Joshua faced the media this week for the first time since t...

06/06/2026

Anthony Joshua has weighed in on one of boxing's most talked-about recent contests, defending Oleksandr Usyk's victory and suggesting the unified heavyweight champion would be even stronger heading into a potential rematch.

"We need to let Oleksandr enjoy his victory because the referee did what he was supposed to do, and that was either let the fight continue or stop it, and he decided to stop it. That's his job," Joshua told The Ring's CEO, Rick Reeno, on the 'Mr. Verzace Podcast.'

"I think Usyk would have done what was needed to remain champion. He just has it in him. He knows how to turn the heat up in the later rounds where most heavyweights will fade, and that's what he did with Rico.

“I think if they rematch, it'll work in Usyk's favour because he's got that data. But Rico did well. He did his thing and surprised me. A man who dared to be great, the odds were stacked against him. When you're not expected to do much, but do more than what's expected of you, it's a moral victory and I believe he gained a lot of support."

06/06/2026

Zuffa Boxing makes its UK debut as cruiserweights Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki meet in Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith, who has already won three times at the Bournemouth International Centre, will be looking to make an impact in his Zuffa debut against the tough Canadian.

Sky Sports are broadcasting Billam-Smith vs Rozicki in the UK. Coverage begins at 7pm. There is no confirmed ring-walk time, but the fight is expected to get under way at around 10pm BST.

05/06/2026

The WBO heavyweight rankings.

05/06/2026

🎙️ Chris Billam-Smith should have too much experience, size and quality for Ryan Rozicki. But if he's not fully switched on, Rozicki has the style, toughness and aggression to make it a very uncomfortable night.

🎧 Listen to the full episode via link in comments

05/06/2026

Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki weighed in at 200lb ahead of their important cruiserweight bout in Bournemouth.

05/06/2026

David Benavidez’s team has dismissed former undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s account of efforts to arrange a high-profile showdown between the pair.

“They’re lying,” Benavidez’s father, manager and trainer, Jose Benavidez Snr, told BoxingScene's Lance Pugmire. “We want to fight him. Let’s make that fight happen. Tell the [Beterbiev] manager to contact me, and we will make that fight happen in five minutes. Do you have his manager’s number? Let’s go.”

Beterbiev told Match TV he tried to make a fight with Benavidez after the three-division champion defeated Anthony Yarde in November. The Benavidez camp, however, said there had been no contact from Beterbiev since an earlier attempt to make the fight before ultimately agreeing terms with Yarde.

“Nothing happened, but we still want to fight him,” Benavidez Snr said to BoxingScene. “We’re here to fight anybody. If Beterbiev’s ready, let’s make it happen. Who wants to fight? Let’s see. I think they’re all talk.”