Viddal Riley
British crusierweight on Sky Sports

Billam-Smith has started eagerly but he has to be careful not to walk onto big punches.

Billam-Smith takes centre ring and circles Masternak as he works out the distance between the two.

The Bournemouth hero looks to use his jab to keep the Pole at a safe distance.

Neither boxer struggles to find their target, but, at the same time, nothing significant was landed by either.

Viddal Riley
British crusierweight on Sky Sports

Neither guy has had any trouble finding each other. Punches are landing early and punches are landing immediately.

We're underway here in Bournemouth.

Will Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight title or will Mateusz Masternak win his first world championship?

Want to get involved? Get in touch on social media using the hastag #bbcboxing.

The goal for Chris Billam-Smith is to keep the WBO cruiserweight title until he retires.

Bournemouth's champion won the world title in May after beating former gym-mate Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium and will defend his crown for the first time tonight.

"The motivation has changed because the goal isn't to win the world title - it's about cementing a legacy," Billam-Smith told BBC South Today.

"You get that extra 20% when you become champion. I'd never heard of it until I won the title but it definitely feels like that.

"There is belief in all the work you have put in and you trust the process no-end after winning a title. The motivation now is to stay champion until I retire."

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith has now joined Mateusz Masternak in the ring with the main event now just moments away.

Billam-Smith walked out to Hail by Kano - who is in the crowd tonight.

Image source, Boxxer

Mateusz Masternak is now in the ring in Bournemouth as he awaits his first shot at a world title.

He came to the ring with Kult's Knajpa Mordercow. Yes, we had to Shazam it.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Steve Bunce took a trip to Chris Billam-Smith's gym in Bournemouth for the latest instalment of the 5 Live boxing podcast.

The WBO cruiserweight champion spoke about his opponent tonight, Mateusz Masternak: "Hard, hard man. 52 fights. Had some really tough fights over the years. The fights he’s lost have all been close to Dorticos and Bellew.

"He’s one of those guys where not many people know him. But no one’s every put a dent in him. I don’t think he’s ever been dropped in 52 fights. A hard, hard nights work and I’m very aware of the dangerous.”

Listen to the full podcast here.

Mateusz Masternak is in unfamiliar territory in more ways than one tonight. He's fighting for a world title for the first time and makes his fight debut in Bournemouth. We wonder if he had been to Bournemouth before this week? Perhaps not, but Chris Billam-Smith will tell you it's a brilliant place to fight.

His world title shot has come late and it's unlikely to come again if he loses.

We've had a glimpse of the Pole backstage and he looks relaxed enough. Can he cause an upset?

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

Chris Billam-Smith looks for a fourth win in a row at home tonight.

Joining him backstage is his coach Shane McGuigan, who also happens to be one of his best pals. The two are pretty much each other's biggest fans and McGuigan once said Billam-Smith is the fighter he is most proud of.

After defeat to Richard Riakporhe in 2019, few would have predicted Billam-Smith would be a world champion just four years later. But McGuigan always had faith in his charge.

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

Ben Whittaker has just stopped Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj in four rounds in impressive fashion.

A straight right hand and crushing left hook finished Dredhaj off, who was seen to by the doctors before being given the all clear.

Whittaker moved to 5-0 in his career and there is plenty of love for the prospect on social media.

Rob Law: "Ben Whittaker has everything needed to be the next household name in the sport. He has the “Rizz” as the youngers would say."

Trent: "Ben Whittaker is going be that fighter people just love to hate. He’s so skilled though."

IYKZ: "Ben Whittaker is one talented lad, I’m not mad at his showboating at all, it’s entertainment kind of reminds me of Prince Naseem. He’s very aware that the guys he’s currently facing aren’t on his level, which isn’t a bad thing as long as he’s getting the job done."

Sarah Shephard: "Lovely finish from Ben Whittaker. One of the most watchable young fighters out there (unless you’re riled by the showboating, obviously)."

Image source, Boxxer

The opponent we all expected to be standing across the ring from Chris Billam-Smith tonight was the man he beat back in May for the WBO cruiserweight title, Lawrence Okolie.

Okolie walked into the home of AFC Bournemouth as the favourite and was expected to walk back out with the title, but Billam-Smith had other ideas.

In not the prettiest fight you'll ever see, Okolie was downed by Billam-Smith three times while the former was deducted two points for holding.

A majority decision victory for Billam-Smith sent 15,000 fans inside the Vitality Stadium wild.

Okolie did have a rematch clause but the fight couldn't be made for December. The two are expected to meet again in the ring in 2024.

Image source, Getty Images

As well as it being treated to Sunday night boxing, we also have the pleasure of an early ringwalk.

We've been told Chris Billam-Smith will make his entrance just after 21:00 GMT - so stand by!

Earlier tonight, Lauren Price extended her unbeaten record to six wins without a loss after a dominant performance over Italy's Sylvia Bortot.

The Welshwoman spoke about the prospect of facing the winner of Natasha Jonas v Mikaela Mayer.

"That's what I want. I turned over as an Olympic gold medallist and people expected me to move fast," she told Sky Sports.

"I believe I beat Tash and Mikaela Mayer and that's the fight I want going into 2024."

Image source, Getty Images

Poland's Mateusz Masternak is challenging for a world title for the first time in his 52-career.

Masternak has a record of 47 wins, 31 by knockout, and five losses. Billam-Smith could become the first man to knock the 36-year-old down.

He has been stopped just once in his career in 2013 and said he had 10 siblings to contend with as a youngster.

Masternak went the distance with Tony Bellow back in 2015 at the O2 Arena, but was the wrong side of a unanimous decision.

Image source, Boxxer

This is the question everyone is asking.

Well, the answer is pretty simple. Chris Billam-Smith is a huge Bournemouth fan, as are the majority of his support, so having the fight on Saturday night would have clashed with the Cherries historic 3-0 win at Manchester United.

The Briton is now looking to make it a double victory for Bournemouth this weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening everyone!

I've got to say it's quite a strange experience gearing up for the boxing on a Sunday night, but don't let that distract you from the action.

Chris Billam-Smith will defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth.

We'll be across the main event right here.