Chris Billam-Smith’s second pro career defeat in Riyadh this past weekend wasn’t one to be ashamed of, fighting through injury and a bad cut over twelve rounds against now-unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez, who appears set for a Jai Opetaia unification in 2025. Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan spoke well on social media about his charge.
McGuigan proud of CBS efforts, urges him to keep going
SHANE McGuigan shed light on the extent of Chris Billam-Smith’s injuries as his charge produced a spirited effort despite falling short over 12 rounds against WBA world cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez during their unification battle in Riyadh at the weekend, suffering the second loss of his professional career.
McGuigan, 36, has overseen the 20-2 (13 KOs) boxer’s development from plucky sparring partner to inspiring world champion and while conceding the chips were stacked against him standing opposite a Mexican multi-weight world titleholder with big-bout experience aplenty, contextualised the UD12 defeat on social media.
“Chris threw 810 punches, boxed with a broken hand, damaged rib and a horrific cut early in the fight. He could not have given more and yes, if given the opportunity to box Zurdo again could do better but on fight night with the cut so early he boxed to his best given the circumstances.
I am extremely proud of him, his championship mindset… a clear winner in life and cannot reflect back on his career at any stage saying he could have tried harder – hold your head up mate.”
The 34-year-old praised Ramirez in his own post-fight assessment, accepting he lost to the better man. He’s unlikely to return until April or May time due to his injuries, though promoter Ben Shalom has insisted the Saudi officials liked what they saw from the Bournemouth boxer and he’ll continue boxing at world level going forward.
Having effortlessly dismantled Jack Massey in Riyadh last month on the Beterbiev-Bivol undercard, IBF champion Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) is set to box back on home shorts in a mandatory title defence after Christmas, as the skilled Aussie southpaw gears up for a proposed unification of his own against Ramirez next year.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes sourced
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