Chris Billam-Smith will step back into the ring on June 6 in his hometown of Bournemouth. The fight, scheduled for the Bournemouth International Centre, marks the inaugural UK event for Zuffa Boxing. He is slated to face Ryan Rozicki, a Canadian fighter known for his knockout power. The bout is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The event signifies Zuffa Boxing's expansion into the United Kingdom, with this being their first card staged on British soil. Billam-Smith, a former WBO world cruiserweight champion, returns to Bournemouth where he has previously fought. Rozicki brings an imposing record of 21 wins, with 20 by knockout, against Billam-Smith's 21 wins, 13 by KO.
Zuffa's UK Push and Billam-Smith's New Chapter
This bout also represents Billam-Smith's first outing since signing a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, a move he stated is aimed at "proving I am the best in the world." His previous appearances under the Zuffa banner included a victory over Brandon Glanton last year. Zuffa Boxing, after an initial series of events in Las Vegas, is reportedly planning further European shows this summer.
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Billam-Smith's career trajectory has seen him hold the WBO cruiserweight title, which he won from Lawrence Okolie in May 2023. He successfully defended the belt twice before losing it to Gilberto Ramirez in a 2024 unification bout. His record stands at 21 wins (13 KOs) and two defeats.
Rozicki, also a part of Zuffa's cruiserweight roster, has a professional record of 21 wins, one loss, and one draw, with a significant portion of his victories coming by way of knockout. The pairing of Billam-Smith and Rozicki is seen as a compelling matchup due to their respective fighting styles.
