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 job, reserved solely for individuals who are able to making extraordinary sacrifices to understand their burning wishes.
And but, seemingly, the arduous course of connected to turning into a world champion – to fulfilling one’s childhood desires – just isn’t misplaced on Billam-Smith, somebody who stays fiercely keen 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.
In truth, he not solely embraces the laborious aspect of his coaching, but additionally takes nice satisfaction from understanding that, when it’s all mentioned and carried out, there can be no stone left unturned, no sleepless nights spent mulling over what may have been carried out in another way.
And this, above all else, is what provides knowledgeable athlete focus; a spotlight that, by responding to setbacks and, in flip, at all times 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 beginner.
But nonetheless, regardless of a scarcity of pedigree connected to his title, 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 danger on the unproven teen.
However, in fact, there was no danger 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 could 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.
A scarcity of expertise within the warmth of battle had no bearing on his efficiency, although, as Billam-Smith, who finally misplaced a intently contested break up resolution, gave an account of himself that showcased his outstanding sturdiness and unrelenting dedication.
And this, in spite of everything, is how he would turn out to be identified: a fighter who, whereas not being essentially the most proficient, will at all times produce an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Positive sufficient, this repute 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 buddy 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 strain than he had maybe anticipated.
Nonetheless, the fan-friendly operator rose to the event with a excessive diploma of professionalism, edging a extensively contentious break up resolution 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 introduced 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.
Evidently, 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 in opposition to his former stablemate, Lawrence Okolie.
And whereas he was undoubtedly gearing up for the hardest take a look at of his profession, the top objective – a showdown on the Vitality Stadium, house of his boyhood soccer membership – supplied ample motivation, to say the least.
There was, in fact, loads of strain that got here with dealing with Okolie, a prolific knockout artist. However strain, as ‘The Gentleman’ typically insists, is usually a privilege.
And so, after flooring his opponent thrice, the appreciable underdog secured a monumental majority resolution victory – albeit in a considerably scrappy affair – to tear the coveted WBO belt off his former sparring companion, turning into Bournemouth’s first world champion since Freddie Mills.
It’s doable, too, that this night time might by no means be matched. However nonetheless, with no need to sail off into the sundown, Billam-Smith later defended his trinket in opposition to seasoned veteran Mateusz Masternak earlier than rematching Riakporhe at Selhurst Park the place, in his second Premier League stadium combat, 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 final result in Saudi Arabia this Saturday, Billam-Smith’s story will at all times be outlined by his psychological resolve, persistence and, with out query, an unwavering ardour to eradicate the competitors via laborious work.