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Zuffa Boxing 07 debuts in the UK: Billam-Smith vs. Rozicki preview

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On Saturday, June 6, Zuffa Boxing will host its first event on British soil, when former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith will face Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre. The card, billed as Zuffa Boxing 07, airs live Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States and Canada. The main card starts at 7 p.m., with walk-ins scheduled for the main event at around 10 p.m.

The event is the first UK edition of Zuffa Boxing, a promotion created by TKO Group Holdings and Saudi entertainment company Sela and run by Dana White, Nick Khan and General Entertainment Authority CEO Turki Alalshikh. according to ESPN. This follows a multi-year broadcasting deal between Zuffa and Sky Sports announced in March.

Main event

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) returns to his hometown for his first fight in over a year. The Bournemouth fighter held the WBO cruiserweight title in 2023 and 2024 before losing it, and has fought at the Bournemouth International Center several times before. He is coached by Shane McGuigan, who stated in promotional materials released for the card that Billam-Smith is constantly improving. Billam-Smith also said a future meeting with cruiserweight champion Zuffa Jai ​​Opetaia influenced his decision to sign with the promotion, telling Sky Sports the fight “will definitely happen.”

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), of Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia, has one of the highest strike rates on the card. He has been a professional since 2016 and his record since 2016 is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts, with 18 of his stoppages coming within three rounds. The cruiserweight fight is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Cooperation and fight in the heavyweight division

In a 10-round cruiserweight fight, Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) will face Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO). In the preliminary stage of the gala, the return of two-time Olympic bronze medalist from Kazakhstan Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO) heavyweight against undefeated Briton Harvey Dykes (7-0-1). The 180 cm elevated Dychko is fighting for the first time since his defeat to Jermaine Franklin in September 2025. Dykes turned professional in 2023 after winning super heavyweight gold at the English National Amateur Championships.

British signatures to the bill

The card also features several recent Zuffa signings making their debuts with the organization, including Scotland’s Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO), welterweight Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) and lightweight heavyweight Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO). Hickey won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as an amateur and turned professional under the guidance of Team GB performance director Rob McCracken.

Full card

  • Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) vs. Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
  • Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) vs. Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
  • Lee Cutler (15-2, 7 KO) vs. Aaron Sutton (19-2, 3 KO), middleweight, 10 rounds
  • Stevie McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) vs. Casey James Streeter (15-3-2, 6 KO), middleweight, 8 rounds
  • Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Todd Tompkins (4-0), middleweight, 6 rounds
  • Harvey Dykes (7-0-1) vs Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO), heavyweight, 10 rounds
  • Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO) vs. Mario Vergiev (8-4, 5 KO), lightweight heavyweight, 6 rounds
  • Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) vs. Tyler Rivers (6-3), welterweight, 6 rounds

The three-fight preliminary card begins at 5 p.m., with the main card following at 7 p.m.

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Tim Tszyu Set for World Title Shot Against Boxings Oldest Champion After Victory Over Spence

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"Tim Tszyu Set for World Title Shot Against Boxing's Oldest Champion After Victory Over Spence"

Tim Tszyu is reportedly set to enter a major title fight next month, bidding to become a two-division world champion at 160lbs.

The Australian has decided to remain at middleweight following his last outing, against Errol Spence Jr, which resulted in a unanimous decision victory on home soil.

While many had anticipated a more competitive affair in July, it ended up being largely one-sided, with Tszyu winning convincingly and sending his opponent into retirement.

In doing so, the 31-year-old claimed his most significant win since 2023, when he outpointed Brian Mendoza for the WBO super-welterweight title following back-to-back stoppages of Tony Harrison and Carlos Ocampo.

Tszyu would then suffer stoppage defeats to Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora, but now looks to join the world title scene at 160lbs.

According to Fox Sportshe is expected to return in late November and face WBA champion Erislandy Lara, who has not fought since scoring two knockdowns and unanimously outpointing Johan Gonzalez last December.

Prior to that, the Cuban retained his middleweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Danny Garcia and, at the age of 43, is currently the sport’s oldest reigning world champion.

At his best, Lara is a highly-skilled southpaw with deceptive power but, due to his age and lack of activity, is rarely mentioned as one of boxing’s leading pound-for-pound operators.

Tszyu could therefore dethrone the 40-fight veteran in Australia next month, with Jermell Charlo reportedly set to feature on the undercard after having not fought since his wide points defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023.

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Canelo Alvarez Confirms Decision on Mbilli Fight as Security Concerns Threaten Comeback Plans

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Canelo Alvarez Confirms Decision on Mbilli Fight as Security Concerns Threaten Comeback Plans

The highly anticipated October 31 showdown between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli has faced mounting speculation in recent weeks, with growing concerns that the entire card could be pulled – or at least moved – from Saudi Arabia.

The fight marks Canelo’s return to the ring following his loss to Terence Craford last September – just his third defeat of his career.

He has landed an immediate shot at one of his old belts against Mbilli, who was elevated from interim to full champion when Crawford retired.

Set to headline the Mexico vs The World card at The Venue in Riyadh, the bout has been overshadowed in recent weeks by escalating regional hostilities, including drone strikes near the Saudi capital by Houthi rebels. Today, King Khalid airport was struck again.

The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on October 5. The advisory cautioned American citizens to remain vigilant, immediately sparking rumours across the boxing world that the event could be abruptly relocated to Las Vegas in November.

There has been silence on the issue from the promotion, and even an official undercard announcement last week.

Today, boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh posted online to confirm that Canelo still wants the event to go ahead.

“Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens.

“He fears nothing. My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history, and kind-hearted people.

“Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support. Hard times reveal true friends.”

Whether or not this encourages fans remains to be seen, with an increasing number still calling for the fight to be moved.

The decision locks in what is arguably the most crucial fight of Canelo’s recent career. After undergoing elbow surgery early this year, it is a must-win for Alvarez, who has hopes of becoming undisputed once more before retiring.

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Wilfredo Gomez, Legendary Boxer, Dies at 69 Leaving Behind an Historic Legacy

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"Wilfredo Gomez, Legendary Boxer, Dies at 69 Leaving Behind an Historic Legacy"

Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, the Puerto Rican three-division world champion whose 17 successful super bantamweight title defenses all ended by knockout, died Saturday, October 10, at age 69.

His son, Wilfredo Gomez Jr., confirmed his death to Telemundo Puerto Rico, which reported that Gomez had spent approximately two weeks hospitalized with respiratory complications. He died around 9 p.m., with the family expected to release further details Sunday.

Gomez’s place in boxing history rests most firmly on his extraordinary run at 122 pounds. He finished his career with a 44-3-1 record and 42 knockouts, winning world titles at super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight. He entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.

Born in San Juan on October 29, 1956, Gomez represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Munich Olympics and won amateur world championship gold in Havana in 1974. His professional championship career began in May 1977, when he recovered from an early knockdown to stop Dong Kyun Yum in the 12th round for the WBC super bantamweight title.

The nickname “Bazooka” suited his punching power, but Gomez brought more than heavy hands. His combinations, timing, and ability to create openings made him dangerous against opponents who could punch themselves.

Carlos Zarate discovered that in October 1978. The Mexican bantamweight champion entered their fight with 52 victories, no defeats, and 51 knockouts. Gomez stopped him in five rounds, producing one of the defining victories of his career and a memorable chapter in the Puerto Rico–Mexico rivalry.

His December 1982 fight with Lupe Pintor showed another side of his greatness. With his eyes swollen and his energy fading, Gomez had to keep fighting through a punishing contest in New Orleans. He stopped Pintor in the 14th round, completing his 17th successful defense at 122 pounds. That victory required endurance and courage alongside the power that had made him famous.

Moving through the divisions also brought defeats. Salvador Sanchez handed Gomez his first professional loss in 1981. Gomez nevertheless went on to win championships at 126 and 130 pounds, adding to a career already exceptional for his dominance at super bantamweight.

The knockout totals explain part of his legacy. The Zarate and Pintor fights explain the rest: Gomez could overwhelm an elite puncher or survive a brutal struggle long enough to finish it. Both remain essential viewing for anyone discovering the fighter behind the “Bazooka” name.

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Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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