Results: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Mateusz Masternak Fight Highlights (Video)

By Vanessa Giebel - 12/08/2023 - Comments

In the heart of Bournemouth, Chris Billam-Smith valiantly upheld his WBO cruiserweight crown, conquering Mateusz Masternak in a gripping Sunday showdown. Earlier this year, Billam-Smith triumphed over Lawrence Okolie, seizing the cruiserweight world title. His inaugural challenge: the battle-hardened Masternak.

With a record boasting 47 victories and only five defeats, the seasoned Polish warrior Masternak once stumbled against Tony Bellew. Despite past defeats, no fighter had ever forced a stoppage against the 36-year-old, a formidable blockade to Billam-Smith’s aspirations for unification bouts in the forthcoming year, with Richard Riakporhe looming as a possible mandatory challenger for the WBO belt.

From the opening bell, Billam-Smith and Masternak unleashed their fervor, teetering on the brink of a full-scale assault. Billam-Smith, aware of the perils posed by his seasoned adversary, acknowledged the necessity for unwavering vigilance and top-notch preparation to fend off the threat.

As the seventh round unfolded, Billam-Smith rediscovered his dynamic early-round tempo, seizing an opportunity to intensify his attack. The fight, seemingly balanced, might have seen him trailing in points, yet his efforts had already tilted the scales in his favor.

Entering the eighth round, Masternak grappled with rib injuries, ultimately conceding the fight by not returning to the fray. This surrender handed a hard-fought triumph to the British champion, perhaps a stroke of fortune amidst the relentless clash of fists.

YouTube video