Tag: Armend Xhoxhaj

Boxing

Fight rewind: Masternak pushed Tony Bellew close for Euro title, in 2015 battle

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Mateusz Masternak of Poland forces Tony Bellew of Great Britain against the corner during the Vacant EBU Cruiserweight title at The O2 Arena on...

Having dethroned Lawrence Okolie on a magical night in Bournemouth seven months ago, WBO world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith makes his first title defence against Mateusz Masternak this Sunday – most expect him to win comfortably. There’s a quiet air of confidence surrounding the Pole and his team before the 36-year-old’s first world title shot, with his showing against Tony Bellew on UK soil a theory behind that. So, what happened that night?
Continue reading “Fight rewind: Masternak pushed Tony Bellew close for Euro title, in 2015 battle” →

Specials

Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot

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Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith during a press conference at the Landmark Hotel, London. Lawrence Okolie will aim for a fourth successful...

Bournemouth have won three straight away games to boost their chances of Premier League survival, and in a month’s time today their fans hope one of their own can make it a summer to savour when Chris Billam-Smith challenges for his first world title at the Vitality Stadium. I spoke to him about that, and much more, as WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie awaits him next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot” →

Analysis, feature pieces

Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27

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10 days after he shook off the cobwebs in a drab-but-dominant world title defence against mandatory challenger David Light, WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was surveying the scene in a Marylebone hotel. Why? A quick turnaround awaits in a tough ask on enemy soil down the south Coast, against friend Chris Billam-Smith and former trainer Shane McGuigan.
Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27” →

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding

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BEN SHALOM’S BOXXER FIGHT NIGHT 17/12/22 BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH v ARMEND XHOXHAJ

Chris Billam-Smith weathered an early storm, taking Armend Xhoxhaj’s best punches before ultimately landing a devastating KO punch at the end of an eight-shot combo to finish 2022 with aplomb – remaining on course for a cruiserweight world title shot in the new year. Prior, there were contrasting stoppage victories for Dan Azeez and Caroline Dubois among others. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding” →

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022

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Local 'hero" Boxer Chris Billam-Smith, Commonwealth Cruiserweight holder with his belts before the Sky Bet Championship match between AFC Bournemouth...

With a potential cruiserweight world title shot against IBF titlist Jai Opetaia in the offing for 2023, Chris Billam-Smith can’t afford to overlook tough opposition when welcoming Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj to Bournemouth tonight. Elsewhere at 175lbs, Dan Azeez dares to be great as he entertains world-level opposition in Rocky Fielding and more besides happens in 2022. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022” →