Chris Billam-Smith vs. Armend Xhoxhaj | Sky Sports - 17 December 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

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.”




Just announced.

Dan Azeez vs. Rocky Fielding as chief Support.

[Twinkle Toes]

Another poor fight on SKY. Nice payday for Christmas though

[Glass Joe]

Not the best main event xmas turkey for CBS but gets a good purse, would rather see Chamberlain rematch. I thought Fielding had retired.

[maverick23]

Co-main is good. Main event is crap.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lee Cutler, Viddal Riley and Caroline Dubois on the card.

[garethhop]

I don't begrudge Billam-Smith an easier fight. He's always good to watch so no problem with the fight.

The Azeez/Fielding fight is quality. Like it a lot.

One more area level scrap and it's a good card.

[saad muhammad]

Surely half a dozen women's fights to be added on there !
Sky sports..equality all the way !!

[Dioufy]

How the fornicate you pronounce that?

[garethhop]

How the fornicate you pronounce that?

Bill Am S Mith

[Dioufy]

How the fornicate you pronounce that?

Bill Am S Mith

[cormack]

Him and his team obviously dont understand the word progress !

[liamlion]

Not impressed with Ben Shalom's and Boxxer's Sky cards including this. Billam-Smith fighting a poor opponent here.

Alas, I shall be there. A good xmas night out and a few beers.

[maninthemiddle]

This fella won the WBO inter continental belt in his last fight…that may well have been his bargaining tool??

[margaret thatcher]

poles and albanians are right up there for having absolute clusterf@ck names to pronounce

[Ruthless-RKO]

This fella won the WBO inter continental belt in his last fight…that may well have been his bargaining tool??

Armend?

He didn’t really need to vacate his EBU belt.

[Glass Joe]

I dont know why CBS vacated his British title, could have won it outright.

[margaret thatcher]

cbs and big rick have gotten a bit boring for me, too much winning at the same level without stepping up. ive seen armend before and he's a glass man

[garethhop]

cbs and big rick have gotten a bit boring for me

You were bored by CBS' two fights this year? Jesus.

[margaret thatcher]

didnt say that my man

im bored by guys repeatedly winning at the same level without showing any signs of stepping it up. in this case, he is sure stepping it down though

as for Jesus, do you mean the skinny bearded guy or a heavy handed mexican?

[garethhop]

Ok, and I get that but I can't possibly see how he meets that definition (which would apply to say Anthony Yarde for all his fights pre Kovalev)

I just possibly see how CBS fits that description. He's not got a huge number of fights, he's fought Riakporhe, McCarthy twice plus Chamberlain and will clearly go World Title in the next 2 fights.

[margaret thatcher]

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.

[Dioufy]

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.

[liamlion]

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...

[Dioufy]

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.

[Ruthless-RKO]

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.

It’s CBS’s arena unfortunately.