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Chris Billam-Smith secures his place in the world cruiserweight title race after stopping Ryan Rozicki at the end of Round 7. This victory, achieved in a high-stakes non-title bout, showcases Billam-Smith's power and determination, keeping him firmly in championship contention.
In front of a home crowd at the Bournemouth International Centre, Billam-Smith (22-2, 14 KOs), 35, maintains his momentum following a previous loss of his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez. Rozicki (21-2-1, 20 KOs), 31, known for his toughness, suffered a cut early on and was deducted a point in Round 2 for headbutting. Despite this, he managed to push through, exchanging heavy blows in the middle rounds.
Billam-Smith dominated Round 6, and as the fight progressed, Rozicki’s swollen face showed the toll of the bout. A furious combination of hooks from Billam-Smith in Round 7 forced Rozicki's corner to step in, ending the fight just before the eighth round. Both fighters were taken to the hospital for precautionary checks, highlighting the intensity of the match. With this win, Billam-Smith eyes a significant fight ahead, reinforcing his standing in the cruiserweight division.
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