The summer scrap between Tommy McCarthy and Chris Billam-Smith will have the vacant British cruiserweight title up for grabs.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on Saturday night that McCarthy and Billam-Smith are to square off against one another during another season of Matchroom’s Fight Camp series.
The highly anticipated fight sees McCarthy’s European title on the line as well as Billam-Smith’s Commonwealth strap. Hearn had hoped that a request to the British Boxing Board of Control would allow the British title, vacated by Richard Riakporhe, to be contested as well. Today the BBBofC approved Hearn’s request with the winner to waive grace and defend the belt when called to do so.
McCarthy successfully defended his European crown in Manchester against Alexandra Jur in what was his first defence after winning the belt against Bilal Laggoune last October. The champion was never troubled by Jur and his Romanian foe was put away in the sixth round by a body shot.
After the fight Belfast’s McCarthy spoke to Boxing Social’s Rob Tebbutt and had a message for Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith who has had a few things to say about the Northern Irishman on social media.
“I don’t know Billam-Smith but he keeps on talking about me. He doesn’t seem like a nice guy,” said McCarthy.
“You are getting it!” he added. “From now until July I’ll be sticking my hands in petrol for 20 minutes a day so they’re solid as a rock and I’m going to burst you!”
Main Image: Dave Thompson