Chris Billam-Smith will face Armend Xhoxhaj at the Bournemouth International Centre on 17th December - and he’s looking to “make a statement”.
The 32-year-old cruiserweight will want to advance his 7 fight win-streak, making him a top contender to challenge for a world title after the New Year.
Securing a second fight in his hometown within just 6 months, Billam-Smith wants to be involved in the biggest fights possible, following a potential statement win next week.
He said, “[Jai] Opetaia and [Ilunga Junior] Makabu are the bigger names. [If I win], I get a chance for the world title, and that’s all it’s about for me.”
Armend Xhoxhaj sits 36th in the world rankings with a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, though Shane McGuigan, Billam-Smith’s trainer, believes he’s still a problem.
McGuigan said, “[Xhoxhaj] has got a very fast right hand and has an awkward style. [Xhoxhaj] hurt Masternak, who has been in there with the likes of Tony Bellew and other big punchers as well.”
To prepare for Xhoxhaj, McGuigan told us Billam-Smith has sparred with elite British light-heavyweights such as Joshua Buatsi and Craig Richards, bracing himself for the Kosovan power-puncher.
Undercard fighters including Rocky Fielding, Steven Robinson and Nick Campbell also attended the press conference, providing thoughts on their upcoming fights.
When Fielding steps into the ring on the 17th, it will have been 4 years since his loss against Canelo Alvarez. Since then, he has been experimenting his skillset in the light-heavyweight division once again finding success – leading to his imminent bout against Dan Azeez.
Fielding said, “I’m back in the division that I’m used to. So a good performance next week will put me back in the mix.”
Slightly lower down in the card contains a competitive matchup between Steven Robinson and Nick Campbell. Similar in size and experience, the two heavy-handed boxers will be looking for a knockout - improving their position in the heavyweight rankings.
Robinson said, “We’re both in each other’s way to progress and we both know where we need to get to [as] we don’t have age behind us.”
Campbell, who has a 100% knockout ratio, showed an equal amount of grace to Robinson and said, “We’re both big, strong men. We can both punch, and we pose a threat to anybody. I’ve trained like an absolute demon for the past 20 weeks, that’s how much respect [Robinson’s] got from me.”
A win here would be notable for either fighter, resulting in greater opportunities to overcome household names in the heavyweight division.