Billam Smith dreaming of Dean Court bow

By Jonathan Nagioff (@jonathannagioff)

Cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith says a future fight at the Vitality Stadium would be a dream for him, as he hopes to inspire the next generation of fighters in Bournemouth.

‘The Gentleman’ faces Slovakian puncher Michal Plesnik (6-2-0) on Saturday, headlining Steve Bendall’s ‘The Dawning’ bill at the o2 academy.

The 27-year-old will put his unbeaten record (5-0-0) on the line in his hometown, returning to the same venue he stopped Gheorghe Danut in March.

However, the avid Cherries fan is hoping for a mega fight further down the line at AFC Bournemouth’s 11,000-seater home ground but accepts it will take time to reach this stage.

Billam-Smith told the Bournemouth Rock: “Some people might laugh at it.

“I’m not saying this year or next year, but I’d love that.

“Just to bring something to your hometown like that, an event of that magnitude would be unbelievable. I’d love to do it.”   

Billam-Smith, formerly of Poole ABC, recently returned to his amateur club and says this is providing him with added motivation ahead of his sixth professional outing.

He continued: “Boxing around is here is becoming bigger anyway.

“I went down my amateur club last night and you’re seeing the kids down there and think that’s where I started and you get to inspire them, so it’s good.