Chris Billam-Smith Will Defend World Title Against Mateusz Masternak On Dec 10 In Bournemouth
- Chris Billam-Smith’s Next Fight Set For Dec 10 In Bournemouth
- It Will Be Masternak In The Opposite Corner And Not Lawrence Okolie
- Billam-Smith vs Masternak Tops BOXXER Card Live On Sky Sports
Chris Billam-Smith will defend his WBO Cruiserweight title against Poland’s Mateusz Masternak on Sunday, December 10 At Bournemouth’s 3,500-capacity Bournemouth International Centre, Live on Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock in the US.
Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KOs) decisioned Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium in May to claim the world title in a significant upset.
The pair were supposed to rematch but it is claimed that Sky Sports did not want to televise Okolie in a main event fight and the former champion will now go a different route.
Masternak (47-5, 31 KOs) withdrew from his IBF mandatory position to Jai Opetaia so Richard Riakporhe could be the #1 challenger – Riakporhe then also pulled out of the mandatory position.
The Polishmen did so at the request of BOXXER with an agreement that they would provide him with another world title shot.
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Masternak, 36, hasn’t fought since a wide decision win over Australia’s Jason Whateley in their IBF Final eliminator.
CBS and Masternak share a common opponent in Armend Xhoxhaj, stopping him within five and four rounds respectively.
What Next For The Chris Billam-Smith vs Mateusz Masternak Winner?
The winner of this fight will be ordered to defend their world title against mandatory challenger Riakporhe early next year with no exceptions.
BOXXER requested this voluntary defence at the latest WBO convention and it was granted under the condition that Billam-Smith fulfilled his mandatory obligation after.