Boxing May 01, 2026

Chris Billam-Smith: Trainer Shane McGuigan's warning for Bournemouth boxer - 'Our issue is he's always in tear-ups'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Chris Billam-Smith: Trainer Shane McGuigan's warning for Bournemouth boxer - 'Our issue is he's always in tear-ups'

Chris Billam-Smith will star on Your Site when he boxes in his hometown of Bournemouth on June 6.

But his opponent Ryan Rozicki is a fierce puncher and rugged operator who promises to draw Billam-Smith into a real fight.

That could make it a tense night for his trainer Shane McGuigan. "Our issue with Chris is he's always in tear-ups," McGuigan told Your Site.

"It's all about entertainment, exciting fights and we know for a fact Chris Billam-Smith versus Ryan Rozicki is going to be an exciting fight."

For this homecoming fight Billam-Smith could have been forgiven for taking an easier option. Instead he will fight a tough, highly-rated opponent.

"That's what Chris Billam-Smith's all about," McGuigan said. "[Rozicki] is going to be a big puncher.

"You know what you're going to get with him but he's had 20 knockouts out of 21 wins. He's been beaten the once by [Oscar] Rivas, took some solid shots there. He's clearly got the minerals. We're going to have make it a fight that suits Chris Billam-Smith."

He added: "But you're not going to go out there running around searching for him. It's going to be an exciting fight. It's a great advert for Zuffa Boxing for their first fight launching in the UK."

Jai Opetaia, widely regarded as the world's leading cruiserweight, is also promoted by Zuffa Boxing. He is a future target for Billam-Smith.

"Opetaia wants the fight, we want the fight. It's the best fight that can be made," McGuigan said.

"At Chris' stage of his career it's about names. The important thing is he gets well paid for it and it's on the best platform to get the best exposure.

"Because we believe he's going to beat him."

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Tyson Fury could also take warm-up bout before Anthony Joshua fight | 'Tyson wants to keep busy,' says Frank Warren

Tyson Fury could also take warm-up bout before Anthony Joshua fight | 'Tyson wants to keep busy,' says Frank Warren

Tyson Fury could also take an interim bout before boxing Anthony Joshua later this year.The Fury vs AJ showdown is set to take place before the end of...

Dillian Whyte's trilogy fight with Derek Chisora could be back on | 'He doesn't like me, I don't like him'

Dillian Whyte's trilogy fight with Derek Chisora could be back on | 'He doesn't like me, I don't like him'

Dillian Whyte is planning his own return to boxing and believes he could have a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora.Whyte's fiery British rivalry with Ch...

Anthony Joshua might be making a mistake with July warm-up | ‘It could showcase a lot of cracks,' says Shane McGuigan

Anthony Joshua might be making a mistake with July warm-up | ‘It could showcase a lot of cracks,' says Shane McGuigan

Anthony Joshua’s warm-up bout ahead of fighting Tyson Fury could be a grave error, warns Shane McGuigan.Joshua is on course to box his great rival Fur...

Chris Billam-Smith to fight Ryan Rozicki live on Sky Sports on June 6 in Bournemouth on Zuffa Boxing's first UK card

Chris Billam-Smith to fight Ryan Rozicki live on Sky Sports on June 6 in Bournemouth on Zuffa Boxing's first UK card

Chris Billam-Smith returns to Bournemouth on June 6 to fight Ryan Rozicki, live on Your Site.It will be the first British event for new promotional po...

Fabio Wardley urges Daniel Dubois to 'get stuck straight into a firefight' in their WBO heavyweight world title clash

Fabio Wardley urges Daniel Dubois to 'get stuck straight into a firefight' in their WBO heavyweight world title clash

Fabio Wardley has called for Daniel Dubois to make it “a firefight” straightaway when they box for his WBO heavyweight world title next month.Wardley...

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: Without Dua Lipa the show will still go on as event organisers look for 'iconic' replacement

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: Without Dua Lipa the show will still go on as event organisers look for 'iconic' replacement

Dua Lipa is not expected to perform at Tyson Fury's fight with Anthony Joshua but a search for a replacement has begun.Former heavyweight world champi...