Billam-Smith Stops Rozicki in Seven Rounds as Both Fighters Hospitalized After Brutal Bout

Chris Billam-Smith defeated Ryan Rozicki by technical knockout after seven rounds at the Bournemouth International Centre on Saturday night. Rozicki's corner threw in the towel after he stumbled back to his corner at the end of the seventh round. All three judges had scored the fight for Billam-Smith at 68-64, 68-64 and 69-63 before the stoppage.

Rozicki was deducted one point in round two for continued use of his head. He was cut over both eyes during the contest. Billam-Smith finished with a cut over his right eye. Both fighters received treatment in the ring.

Rozicki required oxygen before the pair embraced and raised their arms to the crowd. Dana White later confirmed that both men went straight to hospital. Billam-Smith improved to 22 wins in 24 professional fights, 14 of them by stoppage.

It was his first fight since signing with Zuffa Boxing. Rozicki was fighting outside Canada for the first time. The bout served as the main event of Zuffa Boxing's UK debut show. Ringwalks for the main event began at 21:15 BST.

Rozicki carried a book in tribute to Jack Dempsey and wore brown gloves and boots as a nod to the late champion. Seven of the eight fights on the card ended inside the distance. Bournemouth middleweight Lee Cutler won his bout on the undercard.

Shane McGuigan, Billam-Smith's coach, said after the fight: "I've never seen a puncher like that. " McGuigan also said: "Chris is resilience in abundance. " Zuffa Boxing began staging shows in January 2026 and signed a broadcast deal with Sky Sports for its UK events.

Conor Benn signed with the promotion in February 2026. Ringside attendees included Conor Benn, Derek Chisora, David Adeleye, Jim Frevola, Lone'er Kavanagh and Finn Balor. Billam-Smith lost the WBO cruiserweight title in 2024.