Chris Billam-Smith could hit the mark if he engages Ryan Rozicki in a ‘self-esteem’ battle on Saturday, says Johnny Nelson | Debate News

This may sound silly, but when Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki meet in Bournemouth on Saturday, you will have two cavemen looking to duke it out.

That’s what Billam-Smith will be drawn to, because that’s all Rozicki knows. And for that reason alone, I think it’s going to be a really fun fight, an absolute bruiser.

Both fighters often get into conflict, so we can predict with confidence that there will be no emotional process.

Billam-Smith is a good fighter who can also punch a little. But even if he is told to punch and leave, the second time he gets hit, that will go out the window. You will be that boy again. He will then say: I am in tears, I have this.

Rozicki, on the other hand, is a good fighter, nothing – that’s all. He can have a scrap. He doesn’t want gloves; he wants to walk on his knuckles. He said he got into boxing but didn’t like it because he was wearing gloves. This is the type of guy.

I think Billam-Smith wins the fight, but if he does, it will be a hard-fought points victory. He’s never been down before in his career, but don’t be surprised if he hits the canvas.

Win the war to win the war

This is about ego – fighters have big egos. Will Billam-Smith give Rozicki his wish and try to beat him at his own game, or will he be smart and say; no, i don’t play that game? I hope not, because if he does, he’s giving a man what he shouldn’t have.

And therein lies the problem. I have been in this game for a very long time. I’ve seen fighters do this, get involved in kicking tears, and think: why didn’t I box him? Better to lose the war and win the war.

I don’t think Chris is a technical supremo, but I think he’s a lot smarter than Rozicki. So Chris needs to punch and punch, box and bash – that’s what he needs to focus on, nothing else.

If he wants to stand toe-to-toe, Rozicki is the type of fighter who is happy to do so. That’s heaven for him. Chris doesn’t want to do that; he needs to do his best to win and live to fight another day.

This is the discipline you need, especially if you want to be a world champion and stay one. You have to be able to outsmart, outwork, and hold your nerve.

This is a lesson every fighter should learn. Make the best of it. Work on what you know, but do what you know, because that will always stand you in good stead.

Can Billam-Smith hold up his end of the bargain?

Billam-Smith needs this. He has taken a big step towards Zuffa and, by doing so, he will be thinking: I did this, I have to make sure it matters. I have to make sure it’s worth my time.

Going to Zuffa is a bold move, because many battles are headed into the unknown. Zuffa is trying to bring something new, loud, and in your face to UK boxing. As far as they are concerned, if you can fight, you’re in. They don’t care who is in which corner; they want to put on the best battles.

All influencers, no matter what they say or think, be careful. They looked at Zuffa. They looked at Dana White. Zuffa will be judged.

Jai Opetaia joined Zuffa because he wanted to fight the best. He doesn’t want to play this game of snakes and ladders.

That’s what Zuffa wants to introduce – wars, no matter how dangerous.

For Billam-Smith, those battles – including the one with Opetaia – will be there for him, as long as he holds up his end of the bargain.

Defeat really bends things, because why would Opetaia want to fight a loser? He wants to fight Chris because he used to be a world champion. If Chris is defeated, Opetaia will want to fight the man who beat the man.

This is the risk, this is the opportunity you take in this game.

Watch Zuffa Boxing 07 this Saturday live on Sky Sports, and eearly coverage airs from 5pm before the game live on Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One from 7pm. Get Sky Sports or broadcast boxing without a contract.