Zuffa Boxing kicks off its UK run with a main event that puts two contenders close to title chances. Will Billam-Smith be able to maintain his position as a striker who comes forward and shoots with bad intentions, or will Rozicki break through and push his name to the top of the league?

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) knows the place and knows how to fight a 12-round fight in front of an audience. At his best, he tightens the space, exercises the body and makes opponents fight at a pace they don’t want.

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO) presents a different view. He comes in, lets go of his hands and forces an exchange of words. Eighteen of his knockouts came within three rounds, which says everything about his approach. He throws to hurt and will test Billam-Smith’s chin early.

Chris Billam-Smith said: “I’m coming home. This is a huge opportunity for me to stand in front of my amazing supporters. Sky Sports knows how amazing these fight nights in Bournemouth are and this one will be no different.”

Ryan Rozicki added: “It’s a tough fight and that’s what I wanted when I signed with Zuffa Boxing. I know what he brings and I respect that. But he hasn’t fought someone like me there. I’m focused on my job, taking it one day at a time and I’ll be ready for fight night. The fans will have a real fight.”

Billam-Smith needs to show he can withstand pressure without taking shots, and Rozicki needs to prove his strength can withstand a fight with a fighter who can take him the distance.

The result will decide who will fight for the cruiserweight title.

Anthony Joshua’s two-fight deal in 2026 has been announced, and Deontay Wilder is once again not part of the Briton’s plans, despite his resurgence.

Wilder’s team have now reacted to the news that Joshua will instead face Kristian Prenga ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury later in the year.

‘AJ’ was drafted by Fury following the latter’s victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov two weeks ago, but he has refused to publicly agree to a long-awaited showdown without a warm-up fight or a fully negotiated agreement.

Since then, another of Joshua’s long-time rivals, Wilder, has been linked as a potential summer opponent to prepare him for a clash with the “Gypsy King.” But on Monday it was different confirmed that the two-time world champion will face the lesser-known Albanian Prenga in exchange for less risk.

In an interview with Sky Sports BoxingShelly Finkel, who manages The Bronze Bomber, revealed that she is neither disappointed nor surprised by Joshua’s opponent, simply summing up the situation as “the same senior story.”

“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened. Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same senior story, just a modern date.”

While Hearn may not have been ready to fight Wilder, his goal is to defeat the former WBC heavyweight world champion for one of his other heavyweight challengers – Jarrell Miller.

As for Joshua, he will face Prenga on Saturday, July 25 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, and will be looking to fight one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.

“We didn’t really make any money on Devin Haney, but that’s OK,” Hearn told Fighthype. “We lost a little. We earned a little. We built him for this position.”

When a promoter like Hearn, who has been Haney’s biggest cheerleader in the past, starts talking about “losing a little” and “overpaying,” it’s a clear sign that market value and actual revenue are out of sync.

Hearn essentially argues that while Haney gained name recognition, he never became a self-sustaining financial engine. The cost of his handbags combined with promotional expenses apparently outweighed the ticket sales and DAZN subscriptions he brought in.

“I’m not prepared to lose a few million by labeling Devin Haney,” Hearn said.

Hearn explained that signing Haney was still critical at the time, especially as a teenage American player with upside, but the numbers behind the performances did not fully reflect the results. He said Matchroom had “paid through the nose” to bring in Haney and push him forward, even if the reward was not immediate.

That experience now shapes his approach to Haney as an opponent or headliner. Hearn made it clear that he was no longer willing to accept losses just to add a recognizable name to his business card.

He compared this to promoters who may still be in the build-up phase, pointing to situations where companies are willing to take short-term financial hits.

“Others do. They may lose a few million, there is nothing wrong with that because they are building their squad,” Hearn said. “I’ve been in this position before. I’m not in this position anymore.”

Haney has yet managed to secure substantial paydays, including appearances at Saudi-backed events and on high-profile US cards, and Hearn admitted that the player and his father Bill have handled their business well. However, from the promoter’s point of view, the calculation has changed.

If the biggest sports promoter claims that he will not put a fighter in the fight of the evening because he will lose $2 million, it is difficult to deny that this fighter is a real “draw”. This suggests that Haney’s status was partly due to high guarantees rather than organic fan demand.