By Oscar Decide
IN some ways, Chris Billam-Smith embodies the relentless work ethic and obsessive consideration to element of knowledgeable athlete.
Reaching the elite stage of his chosen sport is, as a rule, a thankless, unforgiving activity, reserved solely for many who are able to making extraordinary sacrifices to understand their burning wishes.
And but, seemingly, the arduous course of hooked up to turning into a world champion – to fulfilling one’s childhood goals – is just not misplaced on Billam-Smith, somebody who stays fiercely enthusiastic about maximising his potential.
The place different fighters turn out to be resentful of the method – the lengthy runs, the power and conditioning, making weight – Bournemouth’s WBO world cruiserweight champion is extra the alternative.
Actually, he not solely embraces the laborious facet of his coaching, but additionally takes nice pleasure from figuring out that, when it’s all stated and achieved, there will probably be no stone left unturned, no sleepless nights spent mulling over what might have been achieved in another way.
And this, above all else, is what provides knowledgeable athlete focus; a spotlight that, by responding to setbacks and, in flip, all the time discovering room for enchancment, is usually the important thing to success.
Chris Billam-Smith – native hero to formidable world champion
Earlier than making his skilled debut, Billam-Smith was, by his personal admission, a strong however unspectacular novice.
But nonetheless, regardless of a scarcity of pedigree hooked up to his identify, the South Coast technician was in a position to seize the eye of esteemed coach Shane McGuigan who, alongside along with his father, Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, determined to take a threat on the unproven teen.
However, in fact, there was no threat from the McGuigans’ perspective. If something, they’d seen sufficient from Billam-Smith’s sparring periods with former super-middleweight king George Groves to know that, in time, their funding can be rewarded for his tenacity.
And so, with an skilled workforce in his nook, the Brit amassed 9 victories on the small corridor circuit earlier than stepping up a number of ranges to face home rival Richard Riakporhe.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 20: Richard Riakporhe punches Chris Billam-Smith through the WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title struggle between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at The O2 Area on July 20, 2019 in London, England (Picture by Dan Istitene/Getty Photos)
A scarcity of expertise within the warmth of battle had no bearing on his efficiency, although, as Billam-Smith, who in the end misplaced a intently contested cut up determination, gave an account of himself that showcased his outstanding sturdiness and unrelenting dedication.
And this, in any case, is how he would turn out to be recognized: a fighter who, whereas not being essentially the most proficient, will all the time produce an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Positive sufficient, this popularity was solely enhanced when Billam-Smith claimed his first strap, halting a courageous however restricted Craig Glover with a brutal fifth-round end for the Commonwealth title.
Dominant victories over Nathan Thorley and Vasil Ducar then preceded his conflict with Tommy McCarthy, a European champion and shut pal of former two-division king Carl Frampton.
Nevertheless, with the deep-seated feud between Frampton and the McGuigans taking centre stage all through the build-up, Billam-Smith was compelled to deal with extra stress than he had maybe anticipated.
However, the fan-friendly operator rose to the event with a excessive diploma of professionalism, edging a extensively contentious cut up determination earlier than, lower than a 12 months later, placing on a much more emphatic show of their second encounter.
By this level, Billam-Smith had swiftly grown a loyal fan base and, for his subsequent outing, was offered with the chance to stage an eagerly awaited homecoming in Bournemouth.
Not solely had the rising contender delivered the seaside city’s first-ever televised boxing present, however the principle occasion – an enthralling 12-round dustup with Isaac Chamberlain – left followers craving for much more action-packed nights.
For sure, Billam-Smith didn’t disappoint. After extending his unbeaten file with a highlight-reel knockout over Armend Xhoxhaj, the native hero earned his first world title shot towards his former stablemate, Lawrence Okolie.
Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith get twisted up in Bournemouth (Luke Walker/Getty Photos)
And whereas he was undoubtedly gearing up for the hardest check of his profession, the top objective – a showdown on the Vitality Stadium, residence of his boyhood soccer membership – offered ample motivation, to say the least.
There was, in fact, loads of stress that got here with going through Okolie, a prolific knockout artist. However stress, as ‘The Gentleman’ typically insists, could be a privilege.
And so, after flooring his opponent thrice, the appreciable underdog secured a monumental majority determination victory – albeit in a considerably scrappy affair – to tear the coveted WBO belt off his former sparring associate, turning into Bournemouth’s first world champion since Freddie Mills.
It’s attainable, too, that this night time might by no means be matched. However nonetheless, with no want to sail off into the sundown, Billam-Smith later defended his trinket towards seasoned veteran Mateusz Masternak earlier than rematching Riakporhe at Selhurst Park the place, in his second Premier League stadium struggle, he produced a much more convincing show to actual revenge over the Londoner.
Now, the 34-year-old prepares to tackle WBA world cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in a mouthwatering unification. However, whatever the end result in Saudi Arabia this Saturday, Billam-Smith’s story will all the time be outlined by his psychological resolve, persistence and, with out query, an unwavering ardour to eradicate the competitors via onerous work.
