Chris Billam-Smith Knows Not To Take Opponent Lightly
Tonight in Bournemouth, England, hometown favorite cruiserweight contender Chris Billam-Smith is ready for a showcase fight against a little known opponent. But, he realizes that just because there isn’t much he’s seen of Armend Xhoxhaj of Kosovo, doesn’t mean that Xhoxhaj can’t create problems.
Billiam-Smith, 16-1, 11 KOs and ranked #2 in the division by the WBO, looks to be impressive in the Boxxer promotions main event at the Bournemouth International Centre about two and a half hours southwest of London,
IT’S. FIGHT. NIGHT.💥🎁 #FightNightBournemouth2
🚪Doors open – 5pm
🎥Stream starts – 6pm – @skysportsboxing YouTube
📺Watch live – from 7pm – @skysports Mix/Showcase #FightNightBournemouth2 | 17.12.22 | BIC | @skysportsboxing pic.twitter.com/r0UOo5Cwxy— BOXXER (@boxxer) December 17, 2022
Xhoxhaj, 14-2, 7 KOs, has primarily lived and fought in Germany over the past five years and has won nine of his last 10 fights against largely anonymous competition.
Still, Billam-Smith is taking the right approach with his lesser known foe. He told Sky Sports earlier in the week that he’s aware Xhoxhaj has some skill and power,
Billam-Smith scouts his opponent
“He can be dangerous if you’re not switched on. He comes forward. He throws lots of shots. He’s got a really good right hand. So it’s about staying switched on in this fight and performing really well and not giving anything away and controlling the fight from the very first moments.
“If you play with fire you’re going to get burned. That’s what I’ve got to be aware of and not let him fight his fight too much.
“I’ve got to be able to adapt and adapt through the fight and do what’s right for me.”
Watch us breakdown the Billam-Smith-Xhoxhaj cruiserweight main event battle off our BetUS Boxing show seen Friday’s on their Youtube page and social platforms,
Billam-Smith is off a 12 round decision win over fellow countryman Issac Chamberlain back in July, it was his seventh straight win off his lone loss to Richard Riakporhe by decision in July 2019.
His hope is that a victory will keep him in the forefront to potentially fight WBO world crusierweight champ Lawrence Okolie in 2023.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
