Chris Billam-Smith's Determination Unwavering After Defeat to Gilberto Ramirez - Vows to Remain Among Boxing Elite
After surrendering his WBO cruiserweight title to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, Chris Billam-Smith is not about to retreat in his boxing journey. Reflecting on his fierce battle in Riyadh against the WBA champion, he shared with the BBC that he is determined to continue fighting at the world level.
Recalling the intense showdown, Billam-Smith, hailing from Bournemouth, England, expressed his surprise at the lack of response from Ramirez despite landing clean shots. “That was a real eye-opener for me and my team. We expected to rock him, but it just didn’t happen,” he explained. The former champion was left disheartened as Ramirez swiftly countered his blows with powerful punches, leaving him with cuts, rib injuries, and sore hands after their grueling 12-round clash.
Despite the physical toll and excruciating pain that followed, even morphine couldn’t numb the ache, Billam-Smith remains resolute about his future in the ring. Looking ahead, he aims for his next bout to be a stepping stone towards another world title shot, whether through an eliminator or a direct title fight.
“I’ve still got fight left in me,” asserted the 34-year-old Billam-Smith, emphasizing his refusal to let the defeat define his career. Retirement is far from his thoughts as he plans to forge ahead with determination and resilience.
