An ‘explosive, cruiserweight slug-out’ but who wins Billam-Smith vs Rozicki?

Two powerful cruiserweights do battle this weekend as home favourite Chris Billam-Smith faces Canadian knockout specialist Ryan Rozicki, but who claims victory in Bournemouth?

Billam-Smith will have home backing at the Bournemouth International Centre for the 10-round cruiserweight clash, the main event of Zuffa Boxing’s first numbered promotion in the UK and first outside of the United States.

The former world champion looks to move back into title contention, with a statement display against Rozicki likely to put him closer to a potential Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight world championship showdown with Jai Opetaia.

Billam-Smith faces a tough test against a challenger dubbed ‘The Bruiser’ and with 20 of his 21 victories coming via knockout, with both the Englishman and Rozicki talking up their chances of taking the win.

The bookies have Billam-Smith as odds-on favourite to come out on top in his first Bournemouth fight since 2023, although will he have enough to handle Rozicki’s confidence and power-hitting pedigree?

Ahead of Saturday’s intriguing contest, live on Sky Sports, we asked Johnny Nelson and several of the fighters on this week’s undercard to give their verdict on who will claim bragging rights in Saturday’s main event…

Billam-Smith vs Rozicki fight predictions

Johnny Nelson: “Chris Bilam-Smith wins the fight, but it’s going to be a hard-fought points win. Even though he’s not been down before, don’t be surprised if he hits the canvas.

“I don’t think Chris is a technical supremo, but I do think he’s a better technical supremo than Rozicki. Chris needs to box and bash, box and bash – that’s what he wants to look at, nothing more.

“If he wants to stand there toe-to-toe, Rozicki’s the kind of fighter that is happy to do that – that’s heaven for him. Chris doesn’t want to be doing that. He needs to do what he can to win and live to fight another day.”

Cheavon Clarke: “I haven’t really watched Rozicki much but we all know what Billam-Smith brings. It sounds like they’ll both be there and swinging it out, so you should have a big, explosive cruiserweight slug-out.

“It will be entertaining, I will say that much. By his record, Ryan has a lot of stoppages and Billam-Smith has a bit of power as well. It could be whoever catches who first, so it will be a fan-friendly fight.”

Harvey Dykes: “It’s going to be a really good fight. I’m going Chris Billam-Smith late for the stoppage, but – as Billam-Smith fights always are – it’s going to be exciting.

“There’s going to be some rocky roads in there. Billam-Smith always fights a similar way and his opponents always up themselves, so it’s always a good war when Billam-Smith is involved.”

Todd Tompkins: “Chris Billam-Smith for the win – he’s just the Boogeyman! He’s fit, he’s strong and he’s relentless – he’s the man. His opponent is strong, so it should make for an exciting fight.”

Leon Hughes: “I’m expecting someone to be leaving on a stretcher, maybe! They obviously both carry power, they’re both explosive boxers and both can box, so I’m excited to see the event.

“I have no idea who is going to win, but I have a feeling it’s not going to go the full 10 rounds.”

Alex MacMillan: “Both fighters are great fighters – just look at their records and the experience they’ve both had. I’ve seen Chris in camp and he’s looking absolutely unbelievable – he’s on fire at the moment.

“I do believe Chris is going to put on an amazing show on Saturday night. It’s a home show and you can’t get any better than that, so I do believe Chris will get a stoppage in the mid-to-late rounds.”

Watch Zuffa Boxing 07 live on Sky Sports, with early coverage streamed from 5pm ahead of live action on Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One from 7pm. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.

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