Chris Billam-Smith vs Mateusz Masternak fight breakdown
‘Christmas’ Billam-Smith (18-1, 12KO) treats fans to a festive fight night just two weeks before the big day when he defends his WBO World cruiserweight title to challenger Mateusz Masternak (47-5, 31KO) on Sunday, December 10, at the Bournemouth International Centre, live on Sky Sports.
It’s the first defence of the belt he won from Lawrence Okolie last May. ‘The Gentleman’ ripped the world title away from his former teammate and close friend on a magical night at Vitality Stadium, in front of 15,000 raucous fans, flooring the visitor three times in what was a very scrappy, messy fight.
Now, the 33-year-old world champion has to deliver for his beloved home town again, this time against the ‘Master’ from Poland.
Masternak is a 36-year-old, 52-fight veteran with 47 victories. Despite spending over 17 and a half years in the pro ranks, this is the Pole’s first ever world title shot.
Ranked WBC #9 and WBO #6, Masternak has won a European title before, way back in 2012, and has a few regional titles in his trophy cabinet. His name has always been in and around the top 15 in the world for many years now, so despite not being a mandatory challenger or ranked top 5 in the world, his shot is thoroughly deserved for his years of service.
Masternak is still present and dangerous, even after 50 fights, approaching 40, and close to two decades in boxing. He is riding on a six-fight win streak and hasn’t lost in over three years, however, he hasn’t fought at all this year.
His last bout was in October 2022, winning a unanimous decision win against overmatched Aussie, Jason Whately, after 12-rounds. It’s not the most suitable preparation for a world title challenge. However, the Polish puncher has knocked out three from his last six opponents.
A technical boxer, he likes to exchange on the outside and throws plenty of jabs from his high guard, which he always keeps in a disciplined position.
He has a stand-up tall style, so he’s there to be hit, but he catches and parries a lot of attacks from his gloves. He has been stopped before, by Grigory Drozd over 10 years ago, and Tony Bellew had him hurt in their 2015 fight, which he lost unanimously – 112-115, 112-115, 113-115.
He uses his intelligent footwork to escape attacks, but can sometimes go back in straight lines and get pinned to the ropes, as Yuniel Dorticos showed in their 2018 meeting, where the Cuban was able to trap him frequently and detonate big shots right through the high guard.
The Brit is far more rough and ready, favouring to fight in close where he can work away on the inside to throw short hooks and uppercuts. He can box a variety of ways, but you always know you will be in for a gritty, war of attrition when you get in the ring with the ironically named ‘Gentleman’. Outside of the ropes the nickname makes perfect sense, but inside it’s paradoxical.
He has lasted 12-rounds with big punchers Richard Riakporhe, Tommy McCarthy, Isaac Chamberlain and Lawrence Okolie. Even when he has been hurt in fights, he has shown bravery by being able to ride it out, shake it off, and carry on.
He wears his heart on his sleeve, so spectators are always in for an emotional rollercoaster when you go along for a ride with Billam-Smith.
Against friend-turned-foe, Okolie, Billam-Smith had to punch, clinch, lean, push, tangle, and wrestle his way through. He absorbed plenty of punishment, but dished out more back, was even shoved through the ropes at one point, but three knockdowns in a scrappy battle of wills eventually saw him crowned world champion in front of his passionate fans in the most memorable night of his career so far.
Now he gets a chance to defend his pride and joy in his hometown in front of his devoted followers who all consider him to be their pride and joy.
Betting Odds
1/5 Billam-Smith
7/2 Masternak
18/1 Draw
Prediction
Billam-Smith will have his loyal crowd roaring him on once again; you can visibly see – and audibly hear – how they lift their man and carry him to victory. It’s a very fervent fanbase!
Masternak, as the away fighter, older in years, more miles on the clock, will be up against it in hostile grounds.
Billam-Smith is the bookies favourite with the home advantage, a height and reach gain, the confidence as the champion, and the will to deliver his fans another victory.
You see from their stats and the aforementioned common opponent that these rivals are quite equal in power and strength, but it’s the aggression of the Brit that should see him take control of the contest and likely be the alpha to press and pressurise the visitor.
Since 2020, Masternak has completed 46 rounds compared to Smith’s 73, and this will be the Brit’s third fight within one year whereas the Pole has fought just once in two years.
Activity, momentum, form, home advantage should all tip this fight to ‘The Gentleman’s’ favour.
Verdict: Billam-Smith to win on points or a late stoppage.
