Chris Billam-Smith admits two amateur defeats to Cheavon Clarke still bother him, telling Sky Sports he wants to settle the score when they meet on November 7 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Winning a world title as a professional hasn’t erased the disappointment of missing out on the national elite amateur crown in 2016. Clarke beat him in that final and also defeated him in an English title belt series.
“It’s still that elusive ABA title which he took from me,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports. “He got the nod, deservedly so, I’m not going to cry about, I’m just going to put it right on November 7.”
That admission gives the revenge talk some substance. Billam-Smith isn’t claiming he was robbed. He accepts Clarke earned the decision, which leaves him wanting to beat someone who got the better of him twice.
“I’ve got a lot of bitterness inside me which I need to unleash on November 7!” he added.
Billam-Smith has already enjoyed one successful revenge fight, beating Richard Riakporhe in their 2024 rematch. His professional career also gives him reason to believe this meeting with Clarke will play out differently from their amateur contests.
However, chasing payback could become costly if it encourages him to trade too freely. Billam-Smith came through a punishing fight with Ryan Rozicki last time out, while Clarke recovered from two knockdowns in one round to stop Jack Massey on the same Bournemouth card.
Clarke showed both vulnerability and the power to turn a fight around. Hurting him won’t necessarily give Billam-Smith permission to rush the finish.
“Cheavon isn’t as intense as Rozicki — I’m not sure that anyone is — in terms of the way he fights. But he carries much more speed, which adds more danger,” Billam-Smith said.
Billam-Smith knows that threat from sparring as well as competition. His greater professional achievements give him confidence, but Clarke’s speed and combinations could punish any impatience. Settling a decade-old score will require more than bringing bitterness into the ring.