Chris Billam-Smith ensured that British boxing’s final punch of 2022 was one of its best as he recovered from an early wobble to sensationally knock out Armend Xhoxhaj in Bournemouth.

It was only in July of this year that the raucous atmosphere of the south-coast faithful roared Billam-Smith over the line against Isaac Chamberlain. Now, sitting pretty at the top of the European and domestic tree, his radar only beeps for the belt he is missing, a world title. 

And it would be a world title that has been anything but gifted. 

No Olympic pedigree and no national titles meant that upon turning professional, it would only ever be hard work and dedication that led to even the smallest of successes. 

Yet here he was, five years on from his debut, faced with a hurdle that, if jumped, would see him likely get a chance to challenge for one of the division’s world titles. It really has been some story so far.

However, ‘some story’ isn’t enough for Chris Billam-Smith. This story has to go all the way. Which in turn, meant that Armend Xhoxhaj was now THE MAN IN HIS WAY. 

So, to the Bournemouth Centre it was. 

And neither man was here to waste time. The opening round was barely a minute old when Xhoxhaj landed his first piece of work. Billam-Smith’s response? To wade forward and match the Kosovan’s intensity. The outcome? An absolutely brilliant first three minutes. 

Then came the part that wasn’t in the plan… a HUGE OVERHAND RIGHT HAD BILLAM-SMITH BUZZED IN THE SECOND! 

The unsteady legs, the little dance, the dropping of the hands… all the signs were there for Xhoxhaj to step on and try to end this fight. However, Billam-Smith withstood the pressure, despite having to eat some more leather. A mad round!

And a round that had clearly caught Billam-Smith and his fans by surprise. 

But if his legs were ‘gone’ in the second, well they were soon back in the third. Now visibly more aware of Xhoxhaj’s threat, Billam-Smith was countering and countering well. 

The fourth began with an evidently more confident Billam-Smith getting to work. After what was a commanding two minutes, he did however fall into the trap of standing and trading. A big Xhoxhaj right set the tone for the final minute in which he had to cover up and be smart. 

A very tough round to call.

To round five, in which no outcome would surprise given what had preceded in the previous four. Billam-Smith had looked vulnerable, Xhoxhaj had been hurt, both men had shown power, both men had felt power. This fight was wide open.

Until THIS.

A vicious sequence of punches saw Xhoxhaj hit the canvas with no room for a count. This man was out like a light. Chris Billam-Smith had delivered one of the year’s best knockouts. Stunning.

Thankfully Xhoxhaj rose and was applauded for delivering a thrilling five rounds. 

And it was those thrilling five rounds that drew the curtain on another year of boxing in Britain. 

And if we’re honest, it’s a year in which the sport has taken many of its own knockout blows. 

However, in his hometown of Bournemouth, Chris Billam-Smith had given boxing fans the edge of the seat moment they deserved. 

For anyone who knows Chris, he has been crying out for his big Bournemouth nights ever since he burst onto the scene. Now, he has ticked off two - both televised and titled - and is ready for the biggest of them all. 

Will Chris Billam-Smith be British boxing’s first new world champion of 2023? DO NOT BET AGAINST IT.

Oscar Bevis