Britain’s Chris Billam-Smith marked Zuffa Boxing’s UK debut show with a gritty performance to beat Ryan Rozicki by technical knockout after seven gruelling rounds in Bournemouth.
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith threw everything at Rozicki during an electric contest and finally found the breakthrough at the end of the seventh with a combination of hooks.
After Rozicki stumbled back to the corner, his team threw in the towel and Billam-Smith climbed on the ropes to celebrate.
Both fighters received treatment in the ring with Rozicki requiring oxygen before they embraced and raised their arms to a packed crowd who applauded their efforts at Bournemouth International Centre.
Billam-Smith did not take part in any post-fight media activities and Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White later confirmed both fighters went straight to hospital.
“I’ve never seen a puncher like that. The power that guy [Rozicki] possesses is something else,” Billam-Smith’s coach Shane McGuigan told Sky Sports.
“As a friend, as a coach, it was horrible to sit there and watch but he [Billam-Smith] stayed patient, he’s been out the ring for a long time and there was definitely some ring rust but he outlasted an extremely tough man.
“He loves a tear-up no matter where he is but when he’s in the BIC it’s even worse. He had to fight that way, Rozicki was exhausted after a couple of rounds but he kept coming.
“Chris is resilience in abundance. He’s a determined man, a family man and everything you would want in a role model.”
It is Billam-Smith’s 22nd victory in 24 fights as a professional.
Zuffa Boxing began staging shows in January and, under the stewardship of UFC president Dana White, has set out to shake-up the world of boxing.
But their first venture into the UK, having signed a broadcast deal with Sky Sports, took place amid threats of legal action from British promoter Boxxer, with claims that Billam-Smith, Jack Massey and Sam Hickey were competing without “consent or authorisation”.
Saturday’s card moved swiftly with seven of the eight fights across the prelims and main card ending inside the distance.
Ringwalks for the main event started at 21:15 BST, with Rozicki carrying a book in tribute to the legendary Jack Dempsey, while also wearing brown gloves and boots as a nod to the late heavyweight world champion.
Stars from the boxing world took their seats early in the night, with welterweight Conor Benn, who signed with Zuffa Boxing in February, sat at ringside as well as British heavyweights Derek Chisora and David Adeleye.
Key local figures were also in attendance, with AFC Bournemouth co-CEO Jim Frevola sat behind Zuffa Boxing chiefs Dana White and Nick Khan, while UFC flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh and WWE’s Finn Balor were also ringside.
The Bournemouth International Centre has been known to produce some famous atmospheres for previous Billam-Smith fights, and it delivered once again.
The biggest cheers of the night came for the hometown fighters with Bournemouth middleweight Lee Cutler also picking up a win.