Ryan Rozicki states he should have one more loss on his record.
This Saturday, Chris Billam-Smith will be heading to familiar territory in Bournemouth to take on Ryan Rozicki in his debut under Zuffa Boxing.
Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Billam-Smith will be making his return after over a year out of the ring since his victory over Brandon Glanton on the undercard of the first showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
In Rozicki, he has a dangerous contender in the opposite corner, a puncher from Canada who will be hoping to make a statement on away territory.
Rozicki previously challenged Oscar Rivas in an unsuccessful bid for the WBC bridgerweight title, and Billam-Smith represents his biggest assignment since then.
For the fans who were previously unaware of Rozicki, the build-up to this week’s fight has provided them with an idea of just what type of character he is.
Displaying a deep knowledge on the history of boxing, Rozicki is truly a student of the game. And in an interview with Boxing News earlier today, he revealed another layer to his personality.
In 21 wins, Rozicki possesses 20 knockouts and only a single decision victory. And upon being asked about the possibility of losing a decision should the fight with Billam-Smith go the distance, Rozicki brought up his only triumph on the cards.
In a display of humility not seen very often amongst fighters, Rozicki stated, “I wouldn’t say I’m a boxin’ historian, but I know a lot about boxin’ since the beginning, since the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, and I could tell you thousands of fights that should’ve went one way and they went the other because the guy was in his hometown.
“I’ve actually had it happen myself. My only decision win on my record, that should’ve been a loss ’cause I got outboxed that night, and they said I was the winner ’cause it was my hometown.
“So, you know what I mean? I know what it’s like, and I know that if it goes to a decision, the odds are that he’s gonna get the fight.”
The fight that Rozicki refers to is his first bout with Yamil Peralta, a 2022 affair so controversial that the WBC declared the international title that was on the line vacant and overturned the decision to a no-contest.
While the result still stands as a victory on Rozicki’s record, the man himself recognises it shouldn’t. And whatever happens against Chris Billam-Smith this week, that makes him stand out quite a bit.
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