Chris Billam-Smith, after his recent loss to Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia, says that any return to the ring must be at world level. The British cruiserweight was outpointed by Ramirez in a world title unification bout on November 16, suffering only his second professional loss.
Billam-Smith Reflects on His Fight Against Ramirez
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Billam-Smith spoke candidly about the fight, revealing that despite landing clean punches, he was surprised by Ramirez’s resilience. “I was hitting him with real neat shots and just wasn’t getting any reaction from him, and I was shocked at that,” Billam-Smith shared. “It was a learning curve for me and the team.”
The final scorecards read 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 in Ramirez’s favor, earning him the title of unified cruiserweight champion. Despite the punishment he took during the 12-round bout, Billam-Smith showed immense resilience, remaining on his feet and continuing to fight through significant injuries.
Mental and Physical Toll on Billam-Smith
After the fight, Billam-Smith was taken to a hospital in Riyadh where he received treatment for hand and rib injuries, along with deep cuts around his eyes. Trainer Shane McGuigan confirmed that Billam-Smith had been battling injuries throughout the fight, making his performance even more remarkable.
“I was in a lot of pain, and I couldn’t move from bed to bed on my own,” Billam-Smith recalled. “The morphine did nothing for the pain, and it was mentally and physically draining.” Despite the hardships, Billam-Smith remains determined to continue his career.
Future Plans for Billam-Smith
Looking forward, Billam-Smith is focused on making a return at world level, either for a world title shot or an eliminator. “It’s got to be at world level,” Billam-Smith emphasized. He is eyeing potential fights with the current champions, including WBO and WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez and IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
However, with a young family at home, the 34-year-old understands the sacrifices required. “Spending time away from my wife and son is the hardest part of camp,” Billam-Smith admitted. “But I’ve got a couple more years left in me.”
Conclusion
Chris Billam-Smith’s loss to Ramirez has only strengthened his resolve to compete at the highest level. As he continues to recover from the fight and make plans for the future, his goal remains clear: to return to the ring at world level and continue his career in boxing.
For more on Billam-Smith’s journey, visit BBC Sport and for related updates, check out Eurasia Sports.
