Are we now fans of boxing on a Sunday?

Chris Billam-Smith successfully defends his WBO cruiserweight title against Mateusz Masternak and he is set for a big 2024.

But, that is it from us tonight. Be sure to join us for the next big fight!

Chris Billam-Smith has now taken his professional boxing record to 19 wins, 13 by knockout, and just the single loss.

The one man to have beaten the WBO cruiserweight champion is Richard Riakporhe, who is set to be named as the mandatory challenger for the belt.

That fight is one for 2024, but what a year this has been for the Bournemouth hero.

In May, his dream was realised as he beat Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium to win the WBO belt before successfully defending it back in Bournemouth tonight against Mateusz Masternak.

Chris Billam-Smith was one happy man after retaining his WBO cruiserweight title in his hometown of Bournemouth.

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

The British cruiserweight scene is stacked at the moment and there will have been a few interested challengers who watched Chris Billam-Smith's win over Mateusz Masternak tonight.

As the only British cruiserweight world champion, Billam-Smith takes top spot, but Richard Riakporhe sits close behind in second.

Don't forget Riakporhe beat Billam-Smith via split decision back in 2019.

In third is Lawrence Okolie, the man who Billam-Smith beat for the title back in May. The two are set to come to blows again in 2024.

Isaac Chamberlain is fourth on the list, but his two defeats have come at the hands of Okolie and Billam-Smith.

Fifth and youngest on the list is 26-year-old Viddal Riley. He has won all 10 of his fights, six of them coming through knockout.

Image source, Getty Images

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith, speaking to Sky Sports.

On what's next: “We’ll see. Christmas. I believe there’s another vacant title now. I’ve always said I wanted to be undisputed. If we can get that on the line against anyone, I’d be very keen on that.”

On potential Richard Riakporhe rematch: “I’ve never shied away from a fight. Me and Richard boxed in our tenth fight we had similar records, it was a risk for both of us. It will be amazing the rematch. I’m much better than that. He might look at that and fancy it.”

“That’s a very different me. I know what I’m capable of.”

On Mateusz Masternak: "I respected [Masternak] so much in the build-up. I said he would be my hardest fight to date and he proved it. I made it hard for myself, I was trying too hard to land one big shot.

"I knew I had hurt him [with the body shots at the end of the seventh round] as he slowed right down. That ended the fight.

"I believe I would have got to him. I started finding the jab. It was a shame he pulled out as I believe I would have showed maturity.

"I made it tough on myself."

Well then, what a weekend it's been for Bournemouth!

First of all, the Cherries took the trip north to Old Trafford where they beat Manchester United 3-0 in one of the biggest wins in their history.

Billam-Smith put the cherry on top of the cake after stopping Masternak before the start of the round eight.

AFC Bournemouth have already tweeted their congratulations to CBS.

Image source, Boxxer

Richard Riakporhe is the top-ranked contender for Chris Billam-Smith's WBO cruiserweight title and could be named as the mandatory challenger for the belt.

Billam-Smith's only loss as a professional came at the hands of Riakporhe on a split decision at the O2 Arena in 2019.

Repeat or revenge?

Image source, Getty Images

It's unsure to say for certain what happened at the end there, but Billam-Smith is lapping it up from the Bournemouth crowd as he successfully defends his WBO cruiserweight title.

It's worth noting, this was far from routine. Masternak was up on the cards and was in charge of this fight.

As round eight was supposed to begin, Masternak was slow off his stool and his corner retired their fighter due to an apparent rib injury.

However, none of that matters now and the Billam-Smith train rolls on.

Image source, Boxxer

Just before the start of round eight, the referee waves off the fight with Masternak slow off his stool.

The Bournemouth crowd tried their best to lift Billam-Smith with Masternak surely leading this fight.

The Pole is controlling the distance and then tying up Billam-Smith when he comes in close.

Billam-Smith ended the round strongly and you'd think that may have been enough to take it.

Caroline Dubois
Olympian and pro boxer on Sky Sports

Chris needs to start appyling the pressure. Countering him more. This fight is in his hands. It's his fight to lose, he needs to drag it out of the bag.

Billam-Smith got a right earful from McGuigan in the corner as he tries to wake his fighter up.

A more measured start to the round from Billam-Smith as he looks to get behind his jab more than he had been doing.

Masternak was still able to land a heavy right hand with Billam-Smith walking on to more stiff jabs.

Something needs to change for Billam-Smith before this fight gets away from him.

Masternak flies out of the blocks as he starts the round the way he ended the previous.

Billam-Smith may be shocked at how well the Pole moves, as I'm sure we all are!

The champion is failing to use his jab as much as his corner want and Masternak is growing in confidence as this fight goes on.

Does he sense an upset?

Image source, Boxxer

Viddal Riley
British crusierweight on Sky Sports

Masternak trying to look for the right hand over the jab. Masternak is growing in confidence and spite. You can see he's throwing some meat into the punches.

Shame McGuigan has some advice for his fighter between rounds, telling Billam-Smith: "On the inside you've just got the drop back. Don't smother him. You're stronger on the inside. You're wasting energy.

"Head movement, try and get into a rhythm."

Agree with that?

Is the weight of defending a world title making Billam-Smith tenser than usual? It seems that way at the moment.

The two men engage in a lot of clinching with Billam-Smith trying to catch the Pole as they separate.

A beautiful left, right combination from Masternak lands on Billam-Smith as blood flows from the left eye of the Briton.

Not a great round for Billam-Smith there.

Billam-Smith again starts the round trying to impose himself on Masternak, but he takes a good left hook to the body.

The 36-year-old is showing some nifty footwork as he avoids Billam-Smith's right hand.

Masternak unleashed a good combination on Billam-Smith, but the Pole soaked it up and landed a heavy right hook on the WBO champion.

Image source, Boxxer

Viddal Riley
British crusierweight on Sky Sports

I have it one round each.

Early pressure from Billam-Smith as he forces Masternak towards the ropes.

Masternak is keen and senses Billam-Smith is there to be hit, and he proves that to be right with a fine right hand.

The Pole certainly isn't shy in coming forward as he lands some heavy punches on Billam-Smith.

It's looking to be a physical one if these opening two rounds are anything to go by!

Image source, Boxxer