BoxRec

Cut Billam-Smith some slack. He's figured in competitive bouts regularly.

Before hounding CBS for taking a less demanding opponent, please feel free to chastise those boxers who rarely step up to the plate and spout names about who they'll fight...but don't !

pretty sure that happens here too

Dioufy wrote: ↑15 Nov 2022, 16:38

liamlion wrote: ↑15 Nov 2022, 16:35

Dioufy wrote: ↑15 Nov 2022, 15:41 To go from talking about Opetai and a Riakpohre rematch to this unpronounceable unknown is very disappointing.

Azeez v Fielding should be the main event.

Really? Fielding hasn’t fought since November 2021 and prior to that November 2019...

And? Still remains a better fight than CBS vs Xxakchaojca.

In reality, it probably isnt though.

Fielding isnt active and his best years are behind him and he isnt really a light-heavyweight having spent his career at 12 stone. Whereas Azeez has momentum and hunger and is a genuine light-heavyweight.

From my experience, inactive "name" fighters who come in against ambitious and active, up and coming fighters dont tend to end well and a lack of activity and thus conditioning from Fielding will invariably show-up in his performance.

I expect Azeez to deal with Fielding without much issue.

Alas, we will see.

Press Release

Cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith comes back to town to headline a BOXXER card at the Bournemouth International Arena on Saturday, December 17th – live and exclusive in the UK & Ireland on Sky Sports.

‘The Gentleman’ celebrated a unanimous points victory over Isaac Chamberlain in a destructive display back in the summer.

And the former Commonwealth king (16-1-0, 11 KOs) is ready to raise the roof again and take a giant leap towards a world title shot in 2023 when he takes on dangerous Albanian fighter Armend Xhoxhaj (14-2-0, 7 KOs).

The 28-year-old – known as ‘The Bombardier’ – defeated Roman Fress back in May to claim the WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title and will head to the South Coast looking to celebrate another major upset.

In what could be a late fight of the year contender, British super light-heavyweight champion ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (17-0, 11 KOs) fights experienced, world level campaigner Rocky Fielding (30-20, 17 KOs).

Azeez displayed his class in September when he outshone Shakan Pitters on Merseyside. But the Londoner faces arguably the toughest test of his career to date as he looks to protect his flawless record against Liverpool’s Fielding – whose only-ever defeats have come against Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.

‘Sweet’ Caroline Dubois (4-0, 3 KOs) fought in October when she knocked out Milena Koleva in front of a sold-out crowd at The O2 in London - watched by a record-breaking two million viewers on Sky Sports.

The 21-year-old lightweight prodigy has her heart set on winning world titles and she completes an unforgettable 12 months back in Bournemouth – the scene of her stunning summer stoppage over Happy Daudi.

Fresh from his third-round stoppage win over Ross McGuigan in Manchester last weekend, rising cruiserweight star Viddal Riley (7-0, 4 KOs) returns as he looks to close out the year in style.

And Bournemouth’s own Lee Cutler (11-1-0, 7 KOs) will be keen to spread some festive cheer for the local fans in attendance.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: “We were blown away by the crowd in Bournemouth earlier this summer and it is great to be heading back there in December.

“Chris Billam-Smith tore the roof of the place in his breathtaking win over Isaac Chamberlain. The noise was deafening and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. I'm expecting the fans to reach a whole new level as CBS continues his march towards a world title shot in what will be a tough fight against Armend Xhoxhaj.

“We have a real treat in store as ‘Super’ Dan Azeez takes on Rocky Fielding. Rocky is a world level fighter, a big name in the UK and the only defeats on his resume are against Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.

“With Caroline Dubois and Viddal Riley in action too, this card is an early gift for British boxing fans.”

Chris Billam-Smith added: “I can’t wait to get back to Bournemouth in front of the best atmosphere in the country.

“Last time out was nothing short of incredible: the fight itself, the atmosphere, the occasion. This is the last step before the world title. I will put on a world class performance worthy of that chance and the phenomenal support.”

This proves I don't know boxing like I used to. Who the fvck is Armend Xhoxhaj ?

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 06:36 This proves I don't know boxing like I used to. Who the fvck is Armend Xhoxhaj ?

That’s with a lot of opponents now

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 06:36 This proves I don't know boxing like I used to. Who the fvck is Armend Xhoxhaj ?

You aren’t alone sexy pants.

Dioufy wrote: ↑23 Nov 2022, 13:52

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 06:36 This proves I don't know boxing like I used to. Who the fvck is Armend Xhoxhaj ?

You aren’t alone sexy pants.

Stop it.

Heavyweights Steve Robinson and Nick Campbell to collide in Bournemouth

Steve Robinson will face Nick Campbell in a must-win heavyweight clash in Bournemouth, with Michael McKinson and lightweight prospect Cori Gibbs also featuring on the Chris Billam Smith vs Armend Xhojhaj bill on December 17 live on Sky Sports

Heavyweights Steve Robinson and Nick Campbell will meet in a mouthwatering clash on the undercard of Chris Billam Smith's bout with Armend Xhojhaj in Bournemouth on December 17, with Michael McKinson and Cori Gibbs also added to an explosive card.

Billam-Smith headlines in his hometown against Kosovo's Xhojhaj, live on Sky Sports as the British cruiserweight attempts to stay on course for a world title shot next year.

Robinson will look to upset Scotsman Campbell, with the 'Glasgow Warrior' currently undefeated after five professional contests.

Campbell sparred with Joseph Parker at Tyson Fury's gym in Morecambe before the former world champion's fight with Joe Joyce in September.

"Steve Robinson against Nick Campbell, a heavyweight fight, where both of them need to go to the next level. I'm sure that's going to be an interesting 50-50 fight," promoter Ben Shalom told Sky Sports.

Joining them on the bill is Birmingham lightweight Gibbs, 29, who has a perfect record of 17 victories.

Portsmouth's McKinson will be back in action after coming up short despite a gallant performance against elite US fighter Vergil Ortiz in August.

"McKinson returns on the south coast and it's going to be a big night down in Bournemouth," Shalom said.

"Billam-Smith steps up to world level before a world title. We want him to fight at a stadium in May. He's got a huge following down there that we saw in July," he continued. "[Xhojhaj] is a world level fighter, he's coming to win. Caroline Dubois returns, Viddal Riley returns.

"[Dan] Azeez has a big step up. We believe he's one of the top light-heavyweights in the country. He's got better and better and I think with Buddy [McGirt] he's really improving. Rocky Fielding's a dangerous fighter, he can punch and he's going to come out wanting to win and I think those early rounds are going to be dangerous.

"That's going to be a great fight to watch. I think Dan Azeez will show his level and I think people can consider him amongst the Yardes, Buatsis and even the Lyndon Arthurs. I think that group of fighters are all hopefully going to fight each other and it's a big night for Dan Azeez."

Harvey Lambert also makes his debut after a dazzling amateur career, which saw him represent the GB Boxing Podium Squad. The Hull welterweight also became the Elite ABA and Tri Nations champion.

Lee Cutler and Mace Reugg will also be on the bill.

Watch Chris Billam Smith vs Armend Xhojhaj and an exciting undercard on December 17, live on Sky Sports.

Whilst it’s low level I actually think that’ll be a fun fight.

Press Release | Dan Azeez vs. Rocky Fielding To Have Commonwealth Strap at Stake

‘Super’ Dan Azeez will fight Rocky Fielding for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight championship title when they battle on the beach at the Bournemouth International Center on Saturday, December 17th

In the fight before Christmas, hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith takes on international challenger Armend Xhoxhaj as he looks to take a step closer towards a cruiserweight world title shot in 2023.

But there promises to be a storm by the sea for the chief support as British light heavyweight champion Azeez and Liverpudlian Fielding collide.

Azeez (17-0, 11 KOs) displayed his class of him in September when he outshone Shakan Pitters on Merseyside.

But the Londoner faces arguably the toughest test of his career to date as he looks to protect his flawless record against experienced world-level campaigner Fielding (30-2-0, 17 KOs) – whose only-ever defeats have come against Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.

Joining Azeez and Fielding on the bill is lightweight star Cori Gibbs, who faces Irish fighter Victor Rabei.

The Birmingham fighter, 29, is unbeaten with an impressive record of 17-0 (3 KOs).

Steven 'Drago' Robinson (5-1-0, 3 KOs) will look to upset the undefeated 'Glasgow Warrior' Nick Campbell (5-0, KOs) when the hard-hitting heavyweights meet on the undercard.

Campbell sparred with BOXXER's Joseph Parker at Tyson Fury's gym in Morecambe before the former world champion's fight with Joe Joyce in September.

The Scot will out to make a name for himself with a big performance in Bournemouth.

Rising Portsmouth welterweight Michael McKinson (22-1-0, 2 KOs) returns to action for the first time since his August defeat in Texas by Vergil Ortiz Jr. and local favorites Lee Cutler (11-1-0, 7 KOs) and Mace Ruegg (7-0) will be on hand to spread some early festive cheer as they look to close out 2022 with respective victories in front of their home fans.

Plus, Bournemouth will witness the debut of Hull super-welterweight Harvey Lambert.

Lambert, 24, enjoyed a dazzling amateur career winning as a member of the Team GB Podium Squad and was an Elite ABA champion and Tri Nation Champion too. Lambert is keen to emulate the success of fellow-Hull native Luke Campbell and go on to enjoy an illustrious professional career – and he'll be determined to start well with a winning debut.

Fight Week!!

Good news!!

This will be live on from 7 pm.

Main Event will pick it up from 7:30 pm.

It will also be on from 7 pm.

Press Release

European and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith comes Bournemouth, England to headline a Boxxer card at the Bournemouth International Arena on Saturday, December 17th.

Billam-Smith will take on dangerous German-based Kosovar Armend Xhoxhaj (14-2). Known as ‘The Gentleman,’ Billam-Smith (16-1) celebrated a unanimous points victory over Isaac Chamberlain at the end of July.

Xhoxhaj is coming off a May win over previously undefeated Roman Fress. Xhoxhaj's lone loss came against perennial cruiserweight contender Mateusz Masternak.

On the undercard, British light heavyweight champion ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (17-0) fights Rocky Fielding for the British title. Fielding's only defeats have come against Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.

Good to see mckinson back out. mabey a bit to soon after that ortiz fight, but a pretty mellow 6 rounder so should be ok. then strait back into things next year.

Did anyone see George Groves being interviewed about this bill with Barry Jones? I did not recognise GG at all, he's filled out more than Naz!

Looking forward to this show especially with the weather scuppering any other sport on Saturday

Great that this is on regular for those like me without a sports package.

Gnome wrote: ↑15 Dec 2022, 18:05 Great that this is on regular for those like me without a sports package.

Yeh wicked.

Seems like most of not all have been on Sky Showcase.

This is how you build names.

Me ever mind a sports package. As long as you got a Sky package. You get it on Mix and Showcase.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑14 Dec 2022, 07:01 Press Release

European and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith comes Bournemouth, England to headline a Boxxer card at the Bournemouth International Arena on Saturday, December 17th.

Billam-Smith will take on dangerous German-based Kosovar Armend Xhoxhaj (14-2). Known as ‘The Gentleman,’ Billam-Smith (16-1) celebrated a unanimous points victory over Isaac Chamberlain at the end of July.

Xhoxhaj is coming off a May win over previously undefeated Roman Fress. Xhoxhaj's lone loss came against perennial cruiserweight contender Mateusz Masternak.

On the undercard, British light heavyweight champion ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (17-0) fights Rocky Fielding for the British title. Fielding's only defeats have come against Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.

lol, who da f@ck writes these

"Armend Xhoxhaj (14-2)......Xhoxhhaj's lone loss came against perennial cruiserweight contender Mastesuz Masternak"

ffs if you say a guy is 14-2, dont say 'his lone loss' a sentence or two later

Modern journalism!! Stopped buying BN for similar, but I have a bad habit of buying if I’m bored at the airport and the WHSmith always has it…anyway reading the Warrington preview last week it twice stated he was returning from “longest lay off in his career.” I immediately thought that sounds wrong.. it was. Simple check of Boxrec tells you He was returning from 9 months out but had 14 months out 2019-2021. I just thought I’m paying for this stuff and it ain’t even accurate…

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑15 Nov 2022, 15:09 world title in 2 years is you speculating on stuff that hasnt happened, im judging who he's actually fought and is fighting next. in the last 3 years he hasnt stepped up at all - it's a solid level he's at, im not saying he's fighting bad opposition, but it's just stagnate and doesnt excite me. since he keeps winning i want to see him make steps forward and in one where we have to ask questions about if he's at this level, not if he'll have a fun fight with an opponent at a level he's continually beat for 3- 4 years

some of the opponents i'd have in mind: masternak, cieslak, papin, mchunu, arsen, egorov, makabu, gevor, glowacki, perez. kovalev even. there's also the riakporhe rematch to avenge his only loss, although tbh id prefer one of the others for something fresh.

riakporhe is even worse for what i'm talking about, destroyed tommy mac like 4 years ago, and in his last fight faced a guy tommy mac already beat. he's beat some decent guys in that stretch, but when you look at the big picture he's gone nowhere. right back to mac really.

Mags would be a great matchmaker for fans.
Every fight would be a step up and they'd make their run @ world level after 10 fights. I agree with what you're saying, but you know it very rarely happens.
From a promoter's view I can see why.