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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Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Both men are feeling the pace of this fight now but Ramirez certainly looks the sharper of the two. The speed and accuracy of his punches are what has done the damage on the face of Billam-Smith.
After a great opening round, I've not scored a round in favour of the Brit.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Dan George
BBC Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
That cut on Billam-Smith's left eye is looking really nasty as we go into the seventh round.
I've got Ramirez well up personally, CBS needs to turn it up now or this will slip away from him.
The doctor has just assessed Billam-Smith's cut, he is letting the fight go on.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Ramirez is well on top. He lands a massive left hook on the chin of Billam-Smith that rocks the head back. Billam-Smtih tries to rough up the Mexican and use his size.
There's blood flowing from the eye of Billam-Smith as the corner team get to work.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
It's a better round from Billam-Smith as he backs Ramirez up onto the ropes and lands a good uppercut. Ramirez is causing a lot of problems with the accuracy of his punches.
Billam-Smith is giving Ramirez too much room to work with his superior technical skills.
Oh! Right on the bell Ramirez lands a cracking left hook.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Matthew Macklin
Former boxer speaking on Sky Sports
Good right hand from Ramirez. Landed some good body shots as well. Maybe the right hand caused the cut. They had an impact, there were several good body shots that went in from Ramirez.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Did the legs just dip a little bit for Billam-Smith? It's a strong round from Ramirez and he's cut Billam-Smith on the inside of his nose.
That was the best round of the fight so far for Ramirez and Billam-Smith needs to up it.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Dan George
BBC Sport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
A quiet atmosphere in the Venue arena but you can hear support for both fighters.
More for Ramirez I would say, they chant "Zurdo" over and over again in front of me and to my left.
Over to my right I can hear a contingent of CBS fans who chant the name of their champion proudly.
Billam-Smith started well in the first but Ramirez has had a couple of productive rounds since, this fight is shaping up nicely.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
It's clear to see the size advantage Billam-Smith has over the former super-middleweight world champion. Can Ramirez hurt him?
Ramirez walks Billam-Smith onto a strong left hook but the Briton stuns the Mexican with a big uppercut.
These two aren't holding back and it's making for great viewing.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Matthew Macklin
Former boxer speaking on Sky Sports
When Billam-Smith is pushing Ramirez back he is more effective.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Better from Ramirez as he lands a good right hook on the chin of Billam-Smith. Billam-Smith lands one right back.
Billam-Smith looks comfortable in there but he doesn't want to get too comfortable as Ramirez looks like he's settling after a poor opener.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Ramirez corner told him between rounds to keep the fight at distance, don't get drawn in. Sound advice.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
No Bournemouth, no problem for Billam-Smith.
It's a great opening round for the Briton as he settles into the fight straight away and catches Ramirez with some hard hooks.
There's not much movement from Ramirez either.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
The wait is over. Can Billam-Smith become unify the cruiserweight division? We'll find out soon.
It's a steady start from Billam-Smith who gets to work behind his jab. He looks the more athletic of the two.
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
You can't go against Chris Billam-Smith, can you?
Here is how the BBC Sport audience see the fight going tonight with 62% of you backing a Billam-Smith win.
Image source, BBC SportBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Chris Billam-Smith is a man on a mission tonight.
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Mia Billam-Smith may not be the one in the ring throwing punches but she certainly feels every bit of husband Chris' fights.
"Sometimes I scream and shout, sometimes I dance to music between rounds, often I'm crying with my head in my hands but I honestly am not present mentally," she said.
"I will ask Chris' brother what round we are on and if he's OK, because for me that's all I really care about.
"Hearing the final bell go and him being OK is a relief, his safety comes first and the win comes second."
Billam-Smith v Ramirez
What a fight this could be!
Image source, Getty ImagesBillam-Smith v Ramirez
Chris Billam-Smith is still a world champion in his own right for now, but he has a world champion from the movie world backing him tonight - actor Michael B Jordan, star of the Creed boxing film franchise, has been a minority owner of CBS' beloved AFC Bournemouth since December 2022.
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Billam-Smith v Ramirez
Gilberto Ramirez is now in the ring in possibly the shortest shorts I've seen for a boxer.
Image source, Getty Images