Chris Billam-Smith says Tommy McCarthy knows he is in for a tough fight and believes he can secure a stoppage victory when the pair clash in Fight Camp this summer.
Promoter Eddie Hearn announced the fight on Saturday after McCarthy successfully defended his European Cruiserweight title with a sixth round knockout over Alexandru Jur to set up a meeting with Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion, Billam-Smith in the second edition of Fight Camp from the gardens of Matchroom HQ, on a date to be confirmed.
McCarthy, who inked a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing on Monday, described the Bournemouth man as “easy work,” however ‘The Gentleman’ has brushed off those claims.
“Let him think that,” Billam-Smith told proboxing-fans.com.
“He knows it’s not easy work and I think that’s why he didn’t want to fight me. I think his hand got forced a little bit to fight me.
“But, look it’s another 50-50 fight and they’re the fights you want to be involved in, they’re the fights you get remembered for after your career.
“I’m just glad he’s up for the fight and he’s talking plenty about it, so he can’t talk all that talk and then pull out.
“So I’m really looking forward to the fight and all the build-up as well.”
. @Tommymac90 v @ChrisBillam done deal for Fight Camp – can’t wait 💥
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 15, 2021
The British Boxing Board of Control announced on Tuesday that the vacant British title, relinquished by Richard Riakporhe, a common opponent between the pair, will be on the line in what will be a three belt unification.
Billam-Smith dropped Vasil Ducar twice on route to a unanimous decision win in March to claim the WBA Continental belt, but believes he can halt the Belfast man.
“He’s got quick hands, he can box well,” the 30-year-old added.
“I think it’ll be a bit of a chess match to begin with, but then I just feel as the fight goes on I’ll start picking up and taking over even more and get to him and if I can box to the best of my ability I believe I’ll get him out of there in the mid to late rounds.”
McCarthy has spoken of his desire to look for world titles with victory and has already targeted Billam-Smith’s stablemate, Lawrence Okolie who won the vacant WBO belt in March with a sixth round knockout of Krzysztof Glowacki.
‘The Gentleman’ says he will look to bide his time before launching his assault at world level and continue his development under trainer Shane McGuigan.
And Still!! 🇮🇪🥊🙌🏽👑 pic.twitter.com/CEpkv5gaDi
— Tommy McCarthy (@Tommymac90) May 15, 2021
“For me I’m about developing my career.
“He’s talking about boxing for a world title, I want to win one and I think that’s the difference.
“When I’m at that level I want to win a world title and I want to stay there and that’s how I look at it and he just seems happy to box one of the champions so he can say he’s boxed for a world title which I respect.
“But for me I won’t be looking for a world title next, I’d maybe have a defence and then look at an eliminator and maybe box for one in three or four fights time, because I know I’ve got a lot of developing and a lot of learning still to do, before I’m ready to get to world level and stay there.
“For me what’s really important is playing the long game and not just trying to cash out and fight for a world title next, because you can go in too soon and it can do a lot of damage to your career.
“So for me I want to develop correctly over the next 12-18 months and then fight for a world title either the back end of next year or whenever, so I think I’ve got a couple more fights of learning before we get to that level and look to stay there.”
Watch the full interview with Chris Billam-Smith below discussing Tommy McCarthy, Lawrence Okolie’s world title win and his podcast:
