BOURNEMOUTH — Chris Billam-Smith defeated Ryan Rozicki by technical knockout after seven rounds on June 6, 2026, at the Bournemouth International Centre. Rozicki's corner stopped the match before the eighth round due to facial cuts on their fighter.
Referees deducted one point from Rozicki in the second round for repeated head butts. At the end of the seventh round, judges' official scorecards showed Billam-Smith leading with margins of 68-64, 68-64, and 69-63.
Medical personnel administered oxygen to Rozicki inside the ring after the fight. Both competing fighters were transported to a hospital following the match. Billam-Smith's boxing coach, Shane McGuigan, commented on Rozicki's power. "I've never seen a puncher like that. The power that guy possesses is something else," McGuigan said.
This event marked the first time Rozicki competed outside of Canada. During his ringwalk, Rozicki carried a book in tribute to former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey and wore brown fighting gloves and boots in Dempsey's honor. Rozicki has a professional boxing record of 21 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 20 stoppage victories. He fought to a draw against Yamil Peralta in December 2024 and previously lost a decision bout to Oscar Rivas for the inaugural World Boxing Council bridgerweight title. Regarding a previous bout, Rozicki said, "I was so focused on the next guy, it cost me that night. I do not look past Chris right now."
Billam-Smith holds a professional boxing record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 14 stoppage victories. He won the World Boxing Organization cruiserweight title in 2023 and previously defended it against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe. Billam-Smith lost the unified cruiserweight championship to Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024. He was previously promoted by Boxxer but signed a multi-fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing. The bout was promoted by the company and marked their first event in the United Kingdom. Seven of the eight scheduled fights on the Zuffa Boxing 07 card concluded inside the distance. Conor Benn, Derek Chisora, David Adeleye, Jim Frevola, Nick Khan, Lone'er Kavanagh, and Finn Balor were present at ringside. The promoter has a broadcast agreement with a United Kingdom television network for its events.