ROUNDS BANKED
Will Hale sees Billam-smith win a useful learning fight against Plesnik
CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH was taken the distance for the first time in his paid career as he floored and outpointed super-solid Slovakian Michal Plesnik by 80-72 for the evening’s referee, Lee Cook, at the O2 Academy (Black Country Boxing Promotion).
The Bournemouth fighter was up against a visitor who was bigger, technically sound and extremely strong and fit. The pair split the opener on my card as Billam-smith allowed Plesnik to come forward, trying to assess his opponent. Michal bloodied Chris’ lip with straight shots, but endured a cut underneath the left eye himself.
Plesnik marched ahead in the next behind a tight guard and used his physicality to try to tire Billam-smith. However, Chris started to use his excellent punch selection to find a home for right hands to the body and lefts upstairs.
Billam-smith, while being made to work, took all of the other sessions on my tally. He pushed for the stoppage with hard hooks around the side of his rival’s guard [pictured on the left]. In the sixth, Chris managed to floor Plesnik with a chopping right, but was forced to fight doggedly every session to the finish.
Yeovil’s Dean Dodge scored a 60-55 decision over Hereford’s Dean Evans. Dean was game and stayed in the fight, but Dodge’s youth and eye-catching right uppercuts made him a clear and deserved winner.
Islington’s Jordan Grannum recorded only the third win in his 29-fight career as he bested Bournemouth’s Steve Liddell by 39-38. Liddell delivered the higher punch output for me, but Grannum finished strongly and showed some lovely left-hand work over the last two rounds.
Former England amateur Jack Hillier made is pro bow as he shut out Islington’s Jules Phillips over four. Jack piled up points with attacks punctuated by his educated left jab.
THE VERDICT Billam-smith realises you can’t knock out everyone.