Why Chris Billiam-Smith is Ignoring Revenge Against Chev Clarke
Revenge is far from the thoughts of Chris Billiam-Smith as he prepares for his high-stakes showdown against Chev Clarke. The former WBO cruiserweight champion enters the ring at the Copper Box Arena tonight determined to deliver a dominant performance against his familiar amateur rival in their Zuffa Boxing 12 clash.
The two athletes, aged 36 and 35 respectively, are set to trade professional blows ten years after their initial encounters. Clarke secured the victory in their first meeting and subsequently had his hand raised in their rematch at the National Championships Final.
Following those amateur bouts, Clarke went on to represent Team GB at the 2017 European Championships, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, Billiam-Smith suffered another loss on the amateur scene before making the transition to the professional ranks, where he eventually captured world honors.
The Long Road from Amateur Setbacks to Professional Glory
The defeat in their amateur rematch lingered in the memory of Billiam-Smith for years. However, the Bournemouth fighter insists his primary motivation for this trilogy bout stems from a desire to set an example for his two young sons rather than settling an old score.
Addressing the historical context of their rivalry, Billiam-Smith said, I kind of use that for motivation. But if the fight never happened I would have been fine. It wasn't like I was chasing the fight. It was never gonna define my career.
He added, But now it's at the point of my career and the point in my life where I get to right a wrong from all the way back then, when I thought I was never going to get that chance. The pros and the amateurs are different games. And for me, it's about just proving how much I've levelled up since the amateurs and showing, I've got two young boys, that things aren't about how you start and more about how you finish.
How Fatherhood Changed the Former World Champion
Having children was far from the mind of Billiam-Smith when he initially decided to turn professional. Over the years, however, fatherhood has fundamentally altered his perspective on the sport and his daily routine.
He admits that his sons have transformed his approach to the profession, stating, It definitely changed me and made me, in some ways, even more professional with the way I do things. But I'm also more grateful for the career I've already had and the opportunity to be doing it whilst they're growing up.
The presence of his oldest son, who is four years old, provides a tangible connection to his daily labor. Especially my oldest, he's four, so he kind of gets to see a little bit and he gets to see the work I put in and see his dad working hard for something, Billiam-Smith explained.
Previous Sparring and Mutual Respect Between Rivals
Despite their competitive history in the amateur system, the animosity between the two fighters cooled significantly three years ago. Billiam-Smith and Clarke put aside their rivalry to share the ring in a friendly sparring session to sharpen their skills.
Clarke enters this professional meeting riding high after securing back-to-back stoppage wins following the first defeats of his career. Billiam-Smith remains fully aware of the dangers posed by his opponent, despite any perceived discrepancies in their respective championship records.
Commenting on his opponent's capabilities, Billiam-Smith said, With Chev, although his record and his achievements aren't as big as mine, if you watch the way he's fought, even in his defeats, he's still looked good in those fights. He's been hurt, gets up, bounces back and he's always there. He's got a lot of really, really good attributes. So it's a fight which I'm really up for and I have to be up for.
The Wider Boxing Calendar and What Lies Ahead
The bout takes place during a busy period for the sport, with significant matchups scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. Fans are currently looking forward to the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, which is scheduled to take place in December to resolve a decade-long rivalry.
Other notable fixtures on the calendar include bouts featuring Joshua Buatsi against Willy Hutchinson, Agit Kabayel meeting Nelson Hysa, and David Benavidez facing Michal Cieslak. Additional high-profile encounters involve Dmitry Bivol against Callum Smith, Anthony Cacace taking on Nick Ball, and Jake Paul meeting Cedric Doumbe.
For Billiam-Smith, the immediate focus remains strictly on the task inside the Copper Box Arena. Proving his evolution since their amateur days and demonstrating perseverance for his children form the core of his mission tonight.
