Boxing
Billam-Smith rival eyes knockdown blow as Briton relishes battle
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Ryan Rozicki is eyeing a first knockdown defeat for Chris Billam-Smith, with the latter aware of the task he faces on Saturday.
The pair meet in a Zuffa cruiserweight contest at the latter's home venue of Bournemouth International Centre this weekend.
Rozicki, a former WBC bridgerweight challenger unbeaten since 2021, offers an intriguing test for the Briton on his pursuits.
But the Canadian is determined to inflict some major pain on his opponent and derail his hopes of a bout with Jai Opetaia next.
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"You have to knock someone down to knock them out," Rozicki told Sky Sports News on the fight. "I'm looking to knock him out.
"I'm always looking to knock the opponent out, but I just like being in great fights, exciting fights. That's what I like about this fight."
Billam-Smith anticipates that he may need a stoppage if he wants to prevent his opponent from building up a head of steam.
"I don't think mentally there's any quit in Ryan," he added. "I don't think he would ever give up. I think he'd rather be laid out.
"His corner are the ones I have to convince to get him out of there. They're the ones that would have to go, 'This is too much.'"
Rozicki out to spoil Opetaia dream
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
Ryan Rozicki may not have been the most active man in the world in recent years - but he's undoubtedly a dangerous foe.
He won't arrive in Bournemouth to be a stepping stone for Chris Billam-Smith - he'll arrive wanting his scalp and more to boot.
Victory for the star over the Briton would see his cruiserweight stock soar, pushing him up the pole of a busy Zuffa slate.
With Jai Opetaia likely in line for Billam-Smith should he prevail here, why wouldn't Rozicki believe he can have that bout too?
Either way, expect there to be no shortage of firepower on the south coast. There's plenty at stake - and more beyond it.
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