Challenger Mateusz Masternak was pushing Chris Pellam-Smith to the limits in a ferocious battle at the Bournemouth International Center on Sunday; WBO world champion Belam Smith found punches that damaged Masternak’s ribs and saw the latter’s corner drag him out after seven rounds.
by John Dennen is a sports journalist
22:54 UK time, Sunday 10 December 2023
Chris Billam-Smith has retained his WBO cruiserweight world championship after a high-stakes close fight with Mateusz Masternak.
Bellam-Smith clashed with his Polish rival with furious intent from the opening bell at the Bournemouth International Center on Sunday.
But Masternak got back into the fight himself, hurting the champion and scoring rounds.
Chris Pillam-Smith enters Bournemouth and receives a very warm welcome when he takes on Mateusz Masternak
Just as the danger seemed overwhelming for the hometown hero, he found punches that damaged Masternak’s ribs and saw the pole angle pull him out after seven rounds were completed.
Bellam Smith became an unlikely world champion when he knocked out Lawrence Okolie earlier this year and the fairy tale will continue for him. While Masternak, entering the first world title fight of his long career at the highest level, will be bitterly disappointed.
Fighting story
Chris Billam Smith clinched the win and retained his World Cruiserweight Title as his powerful body shots led to the referee exiting the fight with Matthews Masternak pointing towards a rib problem.
The Bournemouth International Center erupted as Pillam Smith stepped up to make his round.
By contrast, Masternak was greeted with hearty boos, but the Pole, the definition of a grizzled veteran, could not have been more fazed.
The Polish national anthem was sung loudly in some quarters, so Masternak brought his own support.
But it is nothing compared to the British fans singing and cheering for the hero.
The chants continued throughout the first round and Pellam-Smith did not hesitate to give his supporters the action they were chanting for.
He went out to the center of the ring and found the opponent with his kick. He leaned forward, hoisting the big pole over his shoulder when Masternak tried to lean on him.
After pursuing his opponent, Bellam-Smith curled in a cross from the right, the most telling strike of the opening exchanges.
Masternak scratched a left hook on Belam Smith’s cheek, but didn’t seem to feel it. He kept up a ferocious pace. The opponent tried to support him with an exchange, but the Bournemouth hero passed the ball down with his right, ignoring a counterattack.
He swept Masternak in a wild third round. But just as he looked like he was in the lead, Masternak was momentarily startled. Bellam Smith hit right back.
The champion maintained his forward momentum in the fourth round and landed a right uppercut. But the Pole, who was always dangerous, punched him three times in a row.
The battle was barely over in the first third and it was already painful. Pellam Smith met him face to face and they delivered terrible blows to each other.
Masternak turned on his dismissal in the sixth round. He doubled his jab and then popped in a solid right. He then hit a stronger backhand, and although Billam-Smith was coming forward with his right foot, the powerful Pole was making the fight a tough one for him.
In the seventh round, Masternak swept the champion with a right hook and then a left hook. It seems that those shots caused heavy losses. But Billam Smith mustered a response, hitting the body with punches.
This must have saved him. Those shots certainly did the damage and Masternak didn’t answer the bell for the eighth round, leaving Billam-Smith and the rest of the arena to erupt in joy once again.
“My hardest battle”
Chris Billam Smith reacts after stopping Matthews Masternak to retain his WBO cruiserweight title
“I had a lot of respect for him in the build-up. I said it was going to be my toughest fight yet and he proved it. I made it hard for myself, I was trying hard to go big,” said Bellam-Smith. Immediately afterwards.
“I knew I had hurt him [with the body shots at the end of the seventh round] It also slowed down right. Thus he ended the fight.
“I think I was going to get to him. I started to find the injection. It was unfortunate that he pulled out because I think I would have shown maturity.”
Next riyakborhi?
Richard Riakborhi is likely to be called up soon as the mandatory challenger for Bellam-Smith’s WBO title.
“We’ll see. Christmas! I want to be undisputed. I’ll be very keen on that,” said Bellam-Smith.
“I’m never shy about fighting. Me and Rich [Riakporhe] I’ve been boxed before but this was different for me.
“The rematch would be amazing. Maybe he looks at tonight and imagines his chances so go for it.”
This could be another battle at Bournemouth Stadium.
“I think it’s a little unfair to talk about his next fight. That was heart-in-your-mouth stuff,” promoter Ben Shalom said.
“It wouldn’t be Bella Smith without him. That’s why he’s so popular and that’s why the fans come out.
“The dream is to get back on the field at Bournemouth, that is what it is.”
In a thrilling and hard-fought battle, Chris Pellam Smith managed to retain his world title in a desperate struggle against Matheus Masternak, despite fighting with a broken rib. The fight was an intense display of skill, determination, and sheer heart, as Smith dug deep to overcome the pain and adversity to secure the victory. The boxing world is buzzing with excitement and admiration for Smith’s incredible performance, proving once again why he is a true champion in the sport.