Cheavon Clarke stops Chris Billam-Smith in the seventh round

Cheavon Clarke stopped former world champion Chris Billam-Smith in the seventh round at London’s Copper Box Arena. Clarke scored two knockdowns before the referee waved it off. It was the first time Billam-Smith had been put down as a professional, and his first stoppage defeat.

The all-British cruiserweight fight was the main event of Zuffa Boxing 12 on Saturday night. It was a non-title contest. Official Zuffa Boxing results timed the finish at 1:24 of the seventh round. BBC Sport reported from ringside as Billam-Smith protested the stoppage.

Cheavon Clarke finds the finish in round seven

Sky Sports described a physical fight, with both men holding and then bursting into exchanges. Clarke landed a right hand in the first round that made Billam-Smith take notice. He later found an uppercut and a long cross as the former champion tried to walk him down.

Billam-Smith had success of his own. Sky Sports said he dug in an uppercut and kept moving forward. BBC Sport said a short right hook from the Bournemouth fighter made Clarke stumble back towards his corner. The contest stayed close into the middle rounds.

The seventh round changed everything. Sky Sports said Clarke knocked Billam-Smith down with a right hand, the first knockdown of Billam-Smith’s career. Billam-Smith beat the count, then went down again as Clarke swarmed him on the ropes.

Referee Lee Every stepped in after Clarke landed again, with Billam-Smith on the ropes. Sky Sports said Billam-Smith had his feet under him when the fight was stopped, and shook his head in protest. Promoter Dana White later told BBC Sport he felt the decision might have been a little premature.

What Clarke and Billam-Smith said

Clarke also beat Billam-Smith in a national amateur final a decade ago. He was clear about the win. “I do what champions do,” he told BBC Sport. “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.”

Sky Sports recorded a sharper answer to the underdog tag. “Underdog to who? Not us!” Clarke said. “I don’t care about a label. I’m Chev Clarke and that’s all that matters.”

Billam-Smith did not hide from the punch that started the finish. “I’m fine. It was a good shot. He buzzed me, obviously,” he said, according to Sky Sports. “It was a great shot. I made a mistake, but I felt like I was winning the fight.”

He also asked for another meeting. “Fair play to Chev. We’ve had three fights now and he’s got them all. I’d love to run it back and get him eventually.” That is a request from Billam-Smith, not a signed rematch.

Cheavon Clarke against Chris Billam-Smith

Detail	Result
Result	Cheavon Clarke beat Chris Billam-Smith by seventh-round stoppage
Time	1:24 of round seven, per official Zuffa Boxing results
Knockdowns	Two, both in the seventh round
Referee	Lee Every
Venue	Copper Box Arena, London

How the records stand this morning

BBC Sport said Clarke moves to 13 wins and two defeats. The loss is the third of Billam-Smith’s professional career. He was also beaten by Gilberto Ramirez in 2024 and by Richard Riakporhe in 2019. Sky Sports noted that Billam-Smith is a former WBO cruiserweight world champion.

Cheavon Clarke came into the night after a win over Jack Massey. Sky Sports said he wanted a big-name scalp to move him among the top men in the division. He left London with one, even if the manner of the stoppage was disputed at ringside.

Our TV channel, date and undercard guide covered the Copper Box card before the first bell. Follow our British boxing hub and our wider boxing coverage as both men decide what comes next. Cheavon Clarke has the win on the record. Billam-Smith wants the chance to change it.