BOXXER promote a decent looking final show of the year this Saturday evening at the Bournemouth International Centre as hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith tops the bill in a cruiserweight contest against Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj.
Sky Sports televise Billam-Smith vs Xhoxhaj live in the UK.
Billam-Smith (16-1, 11 KOs) is making good progress towards a world title shot in 2023, and the Bournemouth man has taken British, Commonwealth and European crowns in the space of a year.
2022 has been a solid year for ’The Gentleman’ and he began by knocking out Tommy McCarthy in the eighth of their rematch in April.
The 32-year-old, who is ranked at #3 with the IBF behind world champion, Jai Opetaia, backed that up three months later, outlasting Isaac Chamberlain over the distance in a breathless contest.
He should be able to round off the year comfortably enough, with Xhoxhaj (14-2, 7 KOs) stopped in both of the defeats that he has suffered.
The 28-year-old was halted in four by Mateusz Masternak late last year, but has won twice since, the last a split verdict over ten rounds against previously unbeaten Roman Fress in May.
Prediction: Billam-Smith should do pretty much as he pleases here, and I expect him to take Xhoxhaj out within the first four rounds.
Azeez faces Fielding
The undercard is headed by a cracking looking clash at light heavyweight.
Dan Azeez defends his British title for a second time, and looks to add the vacant Commonwealth belt to his collection, as he meets former world champion Rocky Fielding.
Azeez (17-0, 11 KOs) took ownership of the Lonsdale Belt in November last year, as he impressively stopped Hosea Burton in seven, and he followed that up with an eighth round win against Reece Cartwright.
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The 33-year-old was last out in September, taking a points win in a thriller against Shakan Pitters.
Fielding (30-2, 18 KOs) superbly became WBA ‘regular’ world champion back in 2018, halting Tyron Zeuge in five in Germany, but then lost his title, blown away in three to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez just five months later.
Since then the Liverpudlian now based in Dubai, has won three low key contests since, the last a third round stoppage of Timo Laine in April.
Prediction: Azeez is dangerous early, while Fielding is vulnerable early. If Azeez can strike in the early rounds, he can win by stoppage, but if Fielding can go past four, then I fancy Azeez to take a points win.
McKinson meets Arriaza
Michael McKinson (22-1, 2 KOs) hasn’t been kept on at Matchroom, so he appears for BOXXER here in a six round run-out at welterweight against Roberto Arriaza (19-4, 14 KOs) which he should win on points.
’The Problem’ looks to get back to winning ways after losing for the first time as a professional to Vergil Ortiz Jr in August.
Remaining Undercard
Former Boxxer tournament winner, Cori Gibbs (17-0, 3 KOs) also makes an appearance, and the lightweight can take his eight rounder against fellow unbeaten, Jimmy First (13-0, 4 KOs) on the scorecard.
Also at lightweight, Caroline Dubois (4-0, 3 KOs) may need to go the distance to see off Argentina’s Sofia Rodriguez (5-7, 1 KO), and at cruiserweight, Viddal Riley (7-0, 4 KOs) should also remain unbeaten with a stoppage victory against Belgium’s Amine Boucetta (7-5).
A good looking crossroads clash takes place at heavyweight, where Nick Campbell (5-0, 5 KOs) can win a shootout with Steve Robinson (5-1, 3 KOs).
Lee Cutler (11-1, 7 KOs) can take his super welterweight bout against Joel Julio (39-13, 33 KOs) on points.
Mace Ruegg (7-0) attempts to extend his unbeaten record, and the Bournemouth native should take a points win over four at lightweight against Jahfieus Faure (1-9-1).
Harvey Lambert makes his professional debut, and the super welterweight from Hull can outscore Poland’s Sebastian Wojtan (1-6, 1 KO) over four rounds.
