Former world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will headline Zuffa Boxing's first event in the United Kingdom, facing Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre on June 6.
The fight marks Billam-Smith's return to the ring after more than a year, following his victory over American Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2025. The 35-year-old from Dorset is no stranger to the BIC, having fought there three times previously. He won a world title at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium in 2023.
Billam-Smith signed a multi-fight deal with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing earlier this month, parting ways with former promoter Ben Shalom's Boxxer. "I'm so happy, not only to be back boxing after over a year, but to be back home," Billam-Smith told the BBC. "It's Zuffa's first show in the UK, and it's going to be nice to set the standard for UK shows and show them what the atmosphere is like down here."
Zuffa Boxing has previously held events in the United States, and this will be their seventh show since launching in January. The promotional company also represents cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia, a potential future opponent for Billam-Smith.
Rozicki boasts 21 wins, with 20 knockouts, and just one defeat and one draw. He has previously fought for the WBC interim cruiserweight title and will be fighting outside Canada for the first time. Billam-Smith acknowledged the danger: "He's a dangerous fighter; his record speaks for itself. He's a huge and dangerous puncher with power in both hands. But these are the fights I want now."