Billam-Smith digs in to retain world title after Masternak suffers busted rib

Bournemouth superstar Chris Billam-Smith successfully defended his WBO Cruiserweight title after stopping Mateusz Masternak at the BIC.

The Polish challenger failed to get off his stool at the start of the eighth round, citing a rib injury which caused a corner retirement.

The victory is Billam-Smith’s first successful world title defence, in front of a raucous home crowd in Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith got off to a convincing start in the opening round, pushing Masternak back with the jab and asserting himself into the contest.

But with a Polish contingent with him, Masternak bossed the second with a couple of strong right hands landing with real effect.

That pattern continued in round four with Billam-Smith getting caught on a couple of occasions by the challenger.

Swelling then started to build up under the left eye of Billam-Smith, with the champion needing to regroup in the corner alongside coach Shane McGuigan.

Masternak then suffered a cut to the left eye which caused him to bleed, the Polish fighter then signalled he was unable to continue – handing the home fighter his 19^th professional victory.

The success could pave the way for a potential rematch with Richard Riakporhe for the man nicknamed The Gentleman. 

Riakporhe, the only man to beat Billam-Smith as a pro, could be ordered as a mandatory challenger to the title as early as next week. 

(Picture: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer)