ZUFFA Boxing 7 Preview: Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki Headlines Bournemouth Card

On June 6, the Bournemouth International Centre hosts ZUFFA Boxing 7, the promotion’s first numbered event outside the United States and a major milestone as it expands beyond Las Vegas. The card is headlined by hometown favourite and former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith, who faces ‘one of boxing’s best-kept secrets’, Ryan Rozicki.

Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki

35-year-old Chris Billam-Smith (21-2) signed with Dana White’s promotion in April of this year with the goal of eventually challenging the undefeated Australian, Jai Opetaia.

The height of Billam-Smith’s career came after defeating Lawrence Okolie in 2023 to claim the WBO Cruiserweight Championship. Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe both fell short in title fights against Billam-Smith before Gilberto Ramírez defeated the Brit to unify the division and take the belt.

Billam-Smith was last seen in action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Brandon Glanton across twelve rounds on the undercard of the first Benn vs Eubank Jr event.

Last time out, Billam-Smith’s durability and work rate helped him secure victory against Glanton, despite repeatedly finding himself backed onto the ropes by the American.

Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1) possesses genuine knockout power, with 20 of his 21 victories coming inside the distance. The Canadian, currently ranked sixth in the cruiserweight division by Ring Magazine, faced the biggest challenge of his career in October 2021 when he failed to capture the WBC Bridgerweight Championship against Óscar Rivas in Montreal.

Since then, Rozicki has recorded eight victories and one draw. Most recently, he secured a second-round TKO victory over Gerardo Mellado in March in his home province of Nova Scotia. Rozicki dropped Mellado twice before the referee stepped in to stop the contest.

Rozicki presents Billam-Smith with a dangerous challenge that must be managed carefully if the Englishman is to leave Bournemouth victorious. With both men targeting a future showdown with Jai Opetaia, the stakes are high heading into the main event.

Cheavon Clarke vs Jack Massey

Further down the card, Cheavon Clarke and Jack Massey will meet in a 10-round all-British cruiserweight contest.

Former HGV driver Cheavon Clarke (11-2) turned professional a year after representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics. In a short period, he quickly established himself as one of Britain’s most promising cruiserweights, claiming the vacant British cruiserweight title against Ellis Zorro in May 2024 with an eighth-round knockout victory in Leeds.

Jack Massey (23-3) is a former Commonwealth, European and IBO Cruiserweight Champion with experience against the likes of Jai Opetaia and Joseph Parker, despite not being a natural heavyweight.

Although he came up short in both of those contests, impressive performances against opponents such as Engin Karakaplan and Isaac Chamberlain, with the latter bout contested for the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles, have kept him firmly in the domestic cruiserweight picture.

A victory for either man would significantly improve their standing under the ZUFFA banner. It would not be surprising to see the winner move into contention for a future clash with the winner of the main event.

Lee Cutler vs Aaron Sutton

In another all-British affair, middleweights Lee Cutler and Aaron Sutton will square off in a 10-round contest.

Bournemouth’s own Cutler has seven knockout victories to his name and will be looking to add another on home soil. In his last outing against Sam Eggington, a clash of heads led to the bout being stopped early, with Eggington awarded the victory.

Looking to put his last performance behind him, Cutler will know that a strong display against Sutton is exactly what is required.

Sutton (19-2), like Cutler, enters the contest following a defeat, having lost to George Liddard on the Allen vs Fisher 2 card.

Sutton hit the canvas multiple times in the first, second and fifth rounds before his corner threw in the towel, bringing an end to the fight.

With both men entering the ring on the back of losses, each will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

Stevie McKenna vs Casey James Streeter

Irish boxer Stevie McKenna takes on American Casey James Streeter in another middleweight bout on the card.

McKenna (15-1) is coming off the first defeat of his professional career, losing to Lee Cutler for the WBC International Super Welterweight Title. The Irishman had only captured the belt one fight earlier when he defeated Joe Laws at Oakwell Stadium.

Streeter (15-3-2) has already competed under the ZUFFA banner, appearing at ZUFFA Boxing 3. Leo Ruiz got the better of Streeter, who was eight years his senior, stopping him in the fourth round.

Four months later, the American returns looking to avoid a second consecutive defeat under the ZUFFA banner. That may prove difficult if McKenna settles into his rhythm, with 14 of his 15 victories coming by knockout.

Sam Hickey vs Todd Tompkins

Further down the card, Sam Hickey takes on Todd Tompkins in another middleweight contest.

Dundee’s Sam Hickey (4-0), formerly signed to Boxxer, makes his ZUFFA debut after remaining undefeated since turning professional in late 2024.

At just 22 years old, Hickey already owns a Commonwealth Games gold medal, having defeated Callum Peters in the middleweight final at Birmingham 2022.

Tompkins (4-0) also makes his ZUFFA debut. Hailing from Rushden, he is well known in his local community for his charitable work outside the ring, receiving awards from his local mayor for efforts to keep children off the streets and donating 100 pairs of boxing gloves to youngsters in the area.

Final Thoughts

Overall, ZUFFA Boxing 7 represents a significant night for British boxing and particularly the cruiserweight division. A victory for Billam-Smith keeps his hopes of a future showdown with Jai Opetaia alive, while defeats for Clarke or Massey could prove costly in a crowded domestic scene.

With plenty at stake across the card, all eyes turn to Bournemouth this weekend.