Zuffa Boxing will make its long awaited United Kingdom debut on June 6 with Zuffa 07, headlined by a cruiserweight clash between former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith and Canadian puncher Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland as part of Zuffa Boxing’s new European distribution deal, while in the United States it will stream on Paramount+.
As previously reported in our outlet, the card marks the beginning of a planned schedule that is expected to include at least five Zuffa Boxing events per year across the UK and Ireland.
Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) returns to Bournemouth, a city that has become central to his rise on the world stage. He previously captured the WBO cruiserweight title with a win over Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium, defended it against Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, and later suffered defeat to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez in Saudi Arabia before rebounding with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Glanton.
“I’m coming home. This is a huge opportunity for me back in front of my amazing supporters. Billam-Smith said. “Zuffa Boxing is all about proper fights under the lights and that’s exactly what Rozicki brings to the table.”
Across the ring, Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KOs) enters as one of the division’s most dangerous punchers, with 19 of his wins coming inside three rounds. His lone defeat came against Oscar Rivas in 2021 in a bout above the cruiserweight limit, and he has since gone unbeaten in nine fights with seven stoppage victories and a 2024 draw against Yamir Alberto Peralta.
“It’s a tough fight, and that’s exactly what I wanted when I signed with Zuffa Boxing,” Rozicki said.
Tickets for the Bournemouth International Centre event go on sale May 8 at 10am BST via BIC.co.uk, with early access available for registered fans from May 7.
