Chris Billam-Smith overcame a difficult begin to flatten Armend Xhoxhaj within the fifth of their scheduled twelve spherical cruiserweight contest on the Bournemouth Worldwide Centre.
Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs), who overcame Isaac Chamberlain in July arrived in his hometown on the cusp of a world title shot, with IBF champion Jai Opetaia mooted, and he was seeking a simple win to attempt to transfer in the direction of that struggle in 2023. Xhoxhaj (14-3, 7 KOs) had been stopped in each of his earlier defeats, however had gained two since an October 2021 stoppage defeat to Mateusz Masternak.
It was a vigorous begin, and Xhoxhaj landed a proper hand that made Billam-Smith’s knees dip within the second, however he rapidly regained his senses, solely to eat a giant uppercut in the direction of the tip in what was a giant spherical for the Kosovan.
The customer smelt an upset, however the Bournemouth native had a significantly better third, and as soon as he obtained his jab working, he was rather more assured, and the tip got here in fast style.
An uppercut in spherical 5 unsettled Xhoxhaj, and he then walked onto a mixture and a large proper hook, that flattened him, and a depend was most undoubtedly not required.
Azeez halts Fielding
Dan Azeez retained his British mild heavyweight title, and added the vacant Commonwealth crown, as he stopped former world champion, Rocky Fielding in eight rounds.
The belts have been on the road for Azeez solely, as Fielding missed weight.
The challenger was lower early on, and the motion was shut quarters stuff in the principle.
The champion’s jab was very good, snapping the 35-year-old’s head again at common intervals, and he was dominant within the exchanges.
After midway, Azeez started to say himself, and proper on the finish of the seventh, a straight physique shot had Fielding on the ground.
The 33-year-old went for the jugular in the beginning of spherical eight, and halfway by way of the spherical, Fielding lastly wilted, a punishing Azeez assault forcing the towel to come back in from the Liverpudlian’s nook.
Dubois takes out Rodriguez
Caroline Dubois (5-0, 4 KOs) once more impressed, as she took out Sofia Rodriguez (5-8, 1 KO) inside a spherical at tremendous light-weight.
Dubois unloaded sledgehammer photographs within the nook, and the referee had no alternative however to name a halt to the motion.
𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐘! 💣 🤯@SduboisC is the actual deal!#FightNightBournemouth2 | 17.12.22 | BIC | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/C24fGbOxbo
— BOXXER (@boxxer) December 17, 2022
First stuns Gibbs
In a weird light-weight contest, 41-year-old Jimmy First (14-0, 4 KOs) gained the battle of unbeatens, taking an eight spherical factors win over Cori Gibbs, whose gum defend price him no less than a draw.
Gibbs (17-1, 3 KOs) was deducted three factors in whole for repeatedly spitting out his gum defend, and First (14-0, 4 KOs) ran out a 76-73 winner for the referee.
Beating Corri Gibbs on per week’s discover on the age of 41! ⚡
A particular win for Jimmy First 👏#FightNightBournemouth2 | @boxxer pic.twitter.com/FNIme7QuIu
— Sky Sports activities Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 17, 2022
Robinson KO’s Campbell
Steve Robinson (6-1, 4 KOs) breathed new life into his profession, as he gained a heavyweight slugfest in opposition to Nick Campbell (5-1, 5 KOs).
A tiring Campbell was down twice within the fourth of their scheduled eight rounder after dominating the primary three rounds, and he was ultimately stopped on his toes proper on the finish of the body.
McKinson again to profitable methods
Michael McKinson (23-1, 2 KOs) returned from defeat in his final struggle to Vergil Ortiz Jr, as he took a 59-55 win over six rounds in opposition to Roberto Arriaza (19-5, 14 KOs).
Remaining Undercard
Lee Cutler (12-1, 7 KOs) banked six respectable rounds at tremendous welterweight, taking a 60-54 verdict on the referee’s card in opposition to Joel Julio (39-14, 33 KOs).
At light-weight, Mace Ruegg (8-0) secured one other factors win, as he overcame Jahfieus Faure (1-10-1), and at tremendous welterweight, Harvey Lambert (1-0, 1 KO) marked his debut with a second spherical stoppage of Sebastian Wojtan (1-7, 1 KO).