Former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith has spoken about the physical and emotional toll of his recent loss to Gilberto Ramirez in a bid to unify the WBA and WBO titles.
The fight, held on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, saw Mexican star Ramirez dominate throughout. Despite sustaining serious injuries early on, Billam-Smith showed remarkable resilience, going the full 12 rounds.
Taking to Instagram after the bout, the Bournemouth fighter praised his opponent as a “fantastic fighter and great man in and outside of the ring.” He also shared plans to focus on recovery, stating, “Both my pride and my body are extremely sore.”
The 34-year-old revealed the extent of his injuries, which included a broken right thumb, a fractured left hand, and a deep cut above his eye. Following the fight, he was taken to hospital, where he remained for eight hours.
In his heartfelt post, Billam-Smith, nicknamed “The Gentleman,” said, “It was an honour to share the ring with Ramirez in a unification fight. I gave it everything I had on the night.” He expressed disappointment in falling short but thanked fans for their unwavering support, adding, “I look forward to spending quality time with my family and letting my body recover.”
The judges unanimously awarded Ramirez the victory, scoring the bout 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113.
Billam-Smith’s trainer, Shane McGuigan, also took to social media to praise his fighter’s effort, saying, “He could not have given more. He’s a winner in life and has always given his all in the ring.”
The event, part of Saudi Arabia’s “Latino Night,” marked Billam-Smith’s first fight outside the UK. It followed a string of headline bouts in Bournemouth and other Premier League venues, cementing his reputation as a hometown favourite.
Despite the defeat, Billam-Smith remains admired for his grit, sportsmanship, and determination, embodying the true spirit of boxing..
