Cheavon Clarke handed Chris Billam-Smith his first career stoppage loss at the Copper Box Arena in London. Clarke knocked the former world champion down twice, culminating in a seventh-round TKO victory. The win marks Clarke's third stoppage victory, following a thrilling win over Jack Massey.
A decade-old rivalry fueled the contest, with Clarke having previously beaten Billam-Smith in a national amateur final. Despite Billam-Smith's toughness, Clarke's precision right hooks proved decisive. After the fight, Billam-Smith acknowledged the loss but expressed a desire for a rematch, calling it a 'great shot' that changed the fight's momentum.
Clarke remained humble, stating he does not care about labels and focusing solely on his identity as a boxer. The upset solidifies Clarke's presence in the division's upper echelon.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing