Chris Billam-Smith loses WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez via points loss in Saudi Arabia
Briton battered across 12 rounds after picking up a bad cut early on
All three judges see it for Ramirez, 116-112, 116-112 & 116-113
Billam-Smith slips to second defeat of his career
Mexico's Ramirez becomes unified WBA & WBO cruiserweight champion
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Well, it wasn't the result we wanted tonight but that's boxing! Credit to Gilberto Ramirez, who put on a boxing clinic. Chris Billam-Smith will come again.
It was a pleasure bringing the action to you tonight and we'll see you again next time.
Good night!
Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
Although unlikely at this stage, it's not completely out of the question that Oleksandr Usyk could drop back down to cruiserweight.
After his rematch with Tyson Fury in December, Usyk has a decision to make...
"I think maybe after the rematch, I am going to go down in weight to cruiserweight. I want more [fights at] cruiserweight," Usyk told the '3 Knockdown Rule', external podcast.
"Maybe I can be undisputed for a second time in the cruiserweight division, it's my plan. When I start to prepare for my training camp [as a heavyweight], I have to eat all the time. For me it's hard, I don't like it."
Could we see Usyk take on Gilberto Ramirez in the future?
Image source, Getty ImagesRamirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
More from Chris Billam-Smith to Sky Sports: "He's very skilled, I knew he was, but the irony of it is that consistency. He stole my mantra off me. As the rounds went on, I lost that speed. I was having good spells, but it was hard to keep hurting him.
"He was very clever, very smart boxer and it's the reason he's only lost to Bivol. There's always more you can do in camp but I left it all in there tonight. It's very disappointing."
Image source, Getty ImagesRamirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
Chris Billam-Smith speaking to DAZN after his defeat: "It's a bit ironic. My initials are obviously CBS and I say consistency breathes success and I think he had the consistency tonight. They deserved to come out with the win. I have a huge amount of respect for him."
"He was really good. He's got consistent shots and then moves. I was lacking tonight in tracking him."
How did the cut affect you? "A little bit, it's part of the sport. At times it was going blurry at times. But he cutman between rounds was doing a great job. It was a few rounds there where I couldn't see out of that eye."
What is next? "A rest, enjoy Christmas. We'll have to go back and assess and keep improving."
Image source, BoxxerRamirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
Gilberto Ramirez speaking to DAZN after his victory: "I feel great. I'm a true champion, everyone saw."
"I mean I'm prepared for those guys. We know he was a tough fighter. A strong guy. He was a champion. It was an honour for me to fight him and get the belt."
"It was great footwork for me. I tried to use my defence as much as I could. He came forward all the time, strong too. He is a great champion."
Why were you going for the knockout when so far ahead on the scorecards? "Because everyone said I'm a super-middleweight. But I'm cruiserweight, I am unified champion. It would have meant a lot to stop him but I couldn't because he was really tough."
Do you want Jai Opetaia next? "I want to unify with all the champions. That's the main goal for me."
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There's been some amazing cards in Saudi Arabia, its such a shame the atmosphere doesn't match. Feels like we're watching fights during covid again which is a shame.
Robert in Belfast
Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
What next for Gilberto Ramirez? He says a fight with Jai Opetaia is what he wants...
Image source, Getty ImagesRamirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
The judges scored it slightly closer than me but all three agreed on Gilberto Ramirez as the winner.
Two cards were scored at 116-112 and one was a point closer at 116-113.
Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision
As the scores are announced by Michael Buffer, Chris Billam-Smith applauds Gilberto Ramirez after a fine performance from the Mexican.
The Briton hands over his WBO title as they both pose for a picture together.
Class.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
As expected, it's Ramirez who wins after a dominant performance.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
I have that scored as 119-110 in favour of Ramirez but we'll see what the judges think because I am often wrong!
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Billam-Smith is out on his feet and basically using Ramirez to keep himself upright. He still swings away to land some final punches on the Mexican.
The last 25 seconds see both men swinging and trying to land a huge shot. Ramirez takes everything Billam-Smith throws at him and vice versa.
They both embrace at the final bell after a gruelling fight. We go to the scorecards but surely they'll be heavily in favour of Ramirez.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
We might have heard wrong, but Billam-Smith's corner has not urged him to go for a knockout in the final round.
They said "be ruthless" but they also said "three more minutes".
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Billam-Smith is exhausted but forward he comes as he makes Ramirez eat a lovely one-two. It's been a gruelling fight from the off and Billam-Smith's eye is a fine example of that.
There's just one round to go, can Billam-Smith produce a knockout punch?
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Dan George
BBC Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ramirez has looked so impressive in this fight, outclassing Bournemouth's Billam-Smith and dealing some serious damage.
CBS is going to need an AFC Bournemouth v Everton style come back if he is going to win this fight.
The Cherries were 2-0 down in the Premier League to the Toffees before coming back to win 3-2, scoring a late winner.
The only thing is, Ramirez has never been down in his career, this is now looking like an almost impossible task.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Ramirez's accuracy is unbelievable. It's pinpoint, right on the button. He doesn't have incredible power and it's a good thing he doesn't or else this fight would probably be over.
That being said, it's been a better round from Billam-Smith and he'll believe he can win this right until the final bell.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
A couple of lovely uppercuts from Ramirez land on the chin of Billam-Smith but he takes them well. The Mexican then switches up to the body to try to tire him out even more. Billam-Smith is as game as ever and lands a strong straight right.
Billam-Smith needs something miraculous here if he's to remain world champion.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Matthew Macklin
Former boxer speaking on Sky Sports
Ramirez has got the agility of the smaller guy. Billam-Smith has taken a lot of clean body shots here.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
This isn't an easy watch. Billam-Smith is eating punches from all angles from Ramirez and that cut on his eye isn't getting better either.
Billam-Smith is having the odd success and if there's one thing we know about him, it's that he'll never give up.
Image source, BoxxerBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Matthew Macklin
Former boxer speaking on Sky Sports
Pretty easy fight to score so far. I don't think Shane McGuigan is going to leave Billam-Smith in there to get beaten up if he doesn't believe he can't win.