Former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith was knocked down and stopped for the first time in his career as Chev Clarke won their all-British non-title fight on Saturday.
Londoner Clarke landed a big right hand at the start of the seventh round and although Billam-Smith beat the count, he was down again moments later after a barrage of punches.
The contest was allowed to continue but the Bournemouth fighter looked unsteady on his legs and when Clarke connected with two more blows, the referee stepped in.
Billam-Smith immediately protested against the decision, while Clarke stood in the middle of the ring shrugging his shoulders.
Clarke moves to 13 wins with two defeats and inflicts the third professional defeat for Billam-Smith who also lost to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024 and Richard Riakporhe in 2019.
“I do what champions do,” said Clarke, who also beat Billam-Smith when they met in the amateur ranks a decade ago.
“I’m happy. Arsenal won and I won. My training camp was good and you saw that in the ring. I’ll take all-comers going forward.”
The likes of heavyweight Johnny Fisher, Traitors star King Kenny and strongman Eddie Hall were all spotted watching on from ringside in a Copper Box arena that was far from full, with just the lower tier of seats open for fans.
After a slow start to the contest with lots of holding, Clarke looked the sharper man as he landed some clean shots on the former world champion.
In the second round, the Londoner landed a big overhand right to the side of Billam-Smith’s head. Clarke also connected in the third round with a big uppercut and an overhand right that snapped back Billam-Smith’s head.
The former world champion, struggling to find his rhythm, was caught by another uppercut before Billam-Smith responded with a short right hook that made Clarke stumble back to his corner.
But in the seventh round Clarke broke Billam-Smith down, scoring two quick knockdowns before the referee intervened.
Fight promoter Dana White said after the fight that he felt the decision to stop the fight might have been a little premature.