Chris Billam-Smith takes on Ryan Rozicki in Bournemouth on Saturday night - it's a risky fight, but he knows a win takes him to headliner status around the world11:12, 05 Jun 2026Chris Billam-Smith versus Ryan Rozicki in Bournemouth spells Barnburner with a capital B.‌Rozicki knows only one way to fight. He’s a classic slugger, 21 wins, 20 by KO. His only defeat came at heavyweight.‌Billam-Smith finds it hard to make fights easy. He is a go-get-em fighter, so exciting to watch. But the higher up the food chain you go, that makes for harder nights.‌Billam-Smith continues to build back after the loss of his WBO cruiserweight crown to Gilberto Ramirez 19 months ago.This is his first fight for new promoters Zuffa, giving owners Dana White and Turki Alalshikh a taste of what fight night in Bournemouth is like with The Gentleman in town.FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page‌He’s a real leader in our gym, an inspiration to every fighter we train, an example of how to conduct yourself in this sport.He’s been battling adversity all his career, producing when he has to, and he will need to again if he is to realise the dream of challenging cruiserweight standard-bearer Jai Opetaia.Rozicki has been the distance only twice in his career. He looks menacing with his beard and tattoos and fights like it, very heavy handed, always coming forward.‌Billam-Smith knows the risks here. The target is a big headliner either in the UK or in the Middle East. To achieve that he needs another elite performance.The same applies to Rozicki. Winner takes all. Rozicki punches so hard he has a chance against anybody. The crowd will have Billam-Smith revved up, wanting to get in there and destroy the guy. It’s our job to keep him calm and focused on the ultimate goal.‌That said, the only real way to prevail against Rozicki is to stop him. Billam-Smith will need to be measured, control the centre of the ring, keep slamming in the jab and keep moving.Jab, back hand, left hook, and repeat until he has drained Rozicki of energy and patience. Rozicki will always punch with you, so the idea is to step out of the way when he returns fire, take two steps back, off to the side, then and go again.Billam-Smith has been to the well enough times to know what’s coming and how to deal with it. He has already achieved way more than any expected when he first walked through the doors of our gym, but there is more to come.Article continues belowAs ever, he’ll have to earn it because this fella will push him every step of the way.Follow Barry on X at @‌ClonesCyclone @McGuigan’s_Gym