British boxer Chris Billam-Smith said stopping Mateusz Masternak was “crazy” as he retained his WBO cruiserweight world title in Bournemouth.
Masternak had only been stopped once in his career prior to the bout.
“It’s a shame it was an injury,” said Billam-Smith. “I caused the injury, but it might have been done before, so there is probably scar tissue there.”
He added to BBC South Today: “I believe I would have got to him in the next three rounds, I believe I would have taken him out. I was really starting to find my feet.
“It was an honour to share the ring with such a great fighter in Masternak, and to be able to do a job on him, stop him, is crazy.”
The victory was Billam-Smith’s first defence of his title, and his 19th win from 20 professional fights, extending his winning streak to 10.
Billam-Smith’s work on the body of Masternak in round seven proved pivotal, leading to the Pole’s retirement two seconds into the next round.
“I’m pleased that was the result. [It was] not my best performance, but I still felt comfortable in there,” said Billam-Smith.
“I started to find the shots and adapt well, started putting them together.
“I was looking forward to the last five rounds. When I saw it was round eight I was like ‘OK, let’s go’, but obviously he didn’t come out.”
Masternak is ‘super tough bloke’
Masternak, 36, is a veteran of the sport, now with a record of 47 wins from 53 bouts, and he proved a hard opponent for the cruiserweight champion.
“Super tough bloke. I buzzed him in the second round, but [he’s] a really hard bloke, really strong in there – everything I thought he would be,” added Billam-Smith.
“I knew my pace and speed would be a little bit too much; I was good at taking his jab away at times and hitting him with my jab, but I didn’t use my jab enough.
“I’ve got so much respect for him. He’s had a phenomenal career – he’s been pro since before I started boxing. He turned pro in 2005 and I started boxing in 2007.”
Billam-Smith’s next title defence may come against a familiar foe in Richard Riakporhe, who handed the Bournemouth fighter the only defeat of his career back in 2019.
“Apparently he is getting made mandatory, so that might be next,” said Billam-Smith. “He’ll have to come back down to Bournemouth and try and take this belt off me.”
