Clarke Halts Billam-Smith in Seventh Round, Notching First Career Stoppage

Former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith was knocked down and stopped for the first time in his career by Chev Clarke in their all-British non-title fight on Saturday.

Londoner Clarke landed a heavy right hand early in the seventh round, and although Billam-Smith beat the count, he was down again moments later after a barrage of punches.

The referee allowed the contest to continue, but the Bournemouth fighter looked unsteady on his legs. When Clarke connected with two more blows, the referee stepped in.

Billam-Smith immediately protested the decision, while Clarke stood in the middle of the ring shrugging his shoulders.

The win moved Clarke to 13 victories with two defeats, and inflicted the third professional defeat on Billam-Smith, who also lost to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024 and Richard Riakporhe in 2019.

“I do what champions do,” Clarke said, who also beat Billam-Smith when they met in the amateur ranks a decade ago.

“I’m happy. Arsenal won and I won. My training camp was good and you saw that in the ring. I’ll take all-comers going forward.”

Heavyweight Johnny Fisher, Traitors star King Kenny and strongman Eddie Hall were all spotted watching from ringside at the Copper Box arena, which was far from full, with just the lower tier of seats open to fans.

After a slow start to the contest, with lots of holding, Clarke looked the sharper man as he landed some clean shots on the former world champion.

In the second round, the Londoner landed a heavy overhand right to the side of Billam-Smith’s head. Clarke also connected in the third round with a big uppercut and overhand right that snapped back Billam-Smith’s head.

The former world champion, struggling to find his rhythm, was caught by another uppercut before Billam-Smith responded with a short right hook that made Clarke stumble back to his corner.

But in the seventh round, Clarke broke Billam-Smith down, scoring two quick knockdowns before the referee intervened.

Fight promoter Dana White said after the fight that he felt the decision to stop the fight might have been a little premature.

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