Chris Billam-Smith could hit the canvas if he engages Ryan Rozicki in an ‘ego’ battle on Saturday, says Johnny Nelson | Boxing News

This may sound a bit crude, but when Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki meet in Bournemouth on Saturday, you’ll have two cavemen who want to slug it out.

That is what Billam-Smith will get dragged into, because that is all Rozicki knows. And for that reason alone, I think it will be a really entertaining fight, an absolute bruiser.

Both fighters tend to be drawn into an argument, so we can predict with near certainty there will be no feeling-out process.

Billam-Smith is a good fighter who can also box a little. But even if he’s been told to box and move, the second he gets hit, that will go out the window. He’ll be that guy again. He’ll be the one who says: I’m having a tear-up, I’m having some of this.

Rozicki, meanwhile, is a good fighter, point blank – that’s it. He can have a scrap. He doesn’t want gloves; he wants to go bare-knuckle. He said he got into boxing but didn’t like it because he had gloves on. That’s the kind of guy he is.

I think Billam-Smith wins the fight, but if he does, it’s going to be a hard-fought points win. He’s never been down before in his career, but don’t be surprised if he hits the canvas.

Lose the battle to win the war

This is about egos – fighters have big egos. Will Billam-Smith grant Rozicki his wish and try to beat him at his own game, or will he be smart and say; no, I’m not playing that game? I hope he doesn’t, because if he does, you’re giving a man a chance who shouldn’t have one.

And that is where the problem lies. I’ve been in this game for far too long. I’ve seen fighters do this, get involved in tear-ups, and then think: why didn’t I box him? It’s better to lose a battle and win the war.

I don’t think Chris is a technical supremo, but I do think he’s more technically sound than Rozicki. So Chris needs to box and bash, box and bash – that’s what he should focus on, nothing more.

If he wants to stand there toe to toe, Rozicki is the kind of fighter who is happy to do that. That’s heaven for him. Chris doesn’t want to be doing that; he needs to do what he can to win and live to fight another day.

This is the discipline you need, especially if you want to be a world champion and stay one. You’ve got to be able to outsmart, outwork, and hold your nerve.

This is a lesson all fighters must learn. Do what you’re good at. Work on what you’re not so good at, but do what you’re good at, because that will always stand you in good stead.

Can Billam-Smith hold up his end of the bargain?

Billam-Smith needs this. He’s made a big move to Zuffa and, in doing so, he’ll be thinking: I’ve made this move, I’ve got to make sure it counts. I’ve got to make sure it’s worth my while.

Going to Zuffa is a brave move, because a lot of fighters are heading into the unknown. Zuffa are trying to bring something new, loud, and in your face to UK boxing. As far as they’re concerned, if you can fight, you’re in. They don’t care who’s in what corner; they want to put on the best fights.

All the promoters, regardless of what they say or think, are on guard. They’re watching Zuffa. They’re watching Dana White. Zuffa will be judged.

Jai Opetaia has joined Zuffa because he wants to fight the best. He doesn’t want to play this game of snakes and ladders.

That is what Zuffa want to introduce – the fights, regardless of how dangerous they are.

For Billam-Smith, those fights – including the one against Opetaia – will be there for him, provided he holds up his end of the bargain.

A defeat significantly dents things, because why would Opetaia want to fight a loser? He wants to fight Chris because he’s a former world champion. If Chris loses, Opetaia will want to fight the man who beat the man.

This is the risk, this is the chance you’re taking in this sport.

Watch Zuffa Boxing 07 this Saturday live on Sky Sports, with early coverage streamed from 5pm ahead of live action on Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky One from 7pm. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.