Former world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will aim to work his way back into title contention in 2025.
Having dropped his title in a decision defeat to Gilberto Ramirez, Billam-Smith suffered just the second loss of his career.
It was the first time ‘The Gentleman’ had tasted defeat since 2019, as he had bounced back to become the WBO World Cruiserweight champion.
To stake his claim at the title, Billam-Smith had an epic knockout to extend his winning streak.
Chris Billam-Smith knocked out Armend Xhoxhaj in 2022
Following his split decision loss to Richard Riakporhe in 2019, Billam-Smith bounced back with seven straight wins. To make it eight wins in a row, he was paired up with Armend Xhoxhaj in December 2020.
Billam-Smith met the fighter from Kosovo in Bournemouth, England, as the two competed in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds. However, the Englishman would need just five to get the job done.
The bout was a close one, with both men having success across four completed rounds. Xhoxhaj even had his opponent hurt during the bout.
However, Billam-Smith was able to land the more damaging blow in round five.
With just over a minute left in the round, a left hook from Billam-Smith would spell the beginning of the end. As Xhoxhaj was stunned by the shot, Billam-Smith continued his pursuit of a finish.
Two hooks were followed by a lethal right hand, which rendered Xhoxhaj unconscious as he crumbled to the canvas. The fight was immediately waved off, as ‘The Gentleman’s’ record became 17-1.
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Chris Billam-Smith became a world champion against Lawrence Okolie
Following his win over Xhoxhaj, Billam-Smith was given an opportunity to face fellow countryman Lawrence Okolie, who was the WBO World Cruiserweight champion.
Okolie, who was almost a short-notice opponent for Joseph Parker, was looking to defend his title for the fourth time. Having claimed the vacant title in March 2021, he was a reigning champion for over two years when he welcomed a challenge from Billam-Smith.
The two fought in the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth in May 2023. However, Okolie was not able to defeat the hometown hero.
Scoring three knockdowns on his opponent, Billam-Smith won the bout via majority decision. He would defend the title two times before dropping it in a unification bout with Ramirez.