Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke headlines Zuffa Boxing 12

Chris Billam-Smith and Cheavon Clarke have history, and they meet again on Saturday at London’s Copper Box Arena. Their old amateur rivalry gives the cruiserweight main event a bit of edge before either man has thrown a punch. Denzel Bentley and Shane Mosley Jr provide a strong co-main, with unbeaten Umar Dzambekov facing Zach Parker further down the card.

Main Event: Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke

Chris Billam-Smith (22-2-0) meets Cheavon Clarke (12-2-0) at cruiserweight. Clarke got the better of Billam-Smith as an amateur, and that old result still gives this fight a personal angle. Billam-Smith has since reached the top of the professional game, while Clarke will be looking to show he can beat him again when it counts as a pro.

Billam-Smith tends to make fights physical and demanding; Clarke has the chance to disrupt that rhythm and make the old rivalry matter in a different way. I like this as a main event because there’s a real question hanging over it: can Billam-Smith settle the score, or does Clarke prove the first result wasn’t a one-off?

Co-Main Event: Denzel Bentley vs Shane Mosley Jr

Denzel Bentley (22-3-1) faces Shane Mosley Jr (23-5-0) at middleweight. Bentley has a point to make after losing his WBO title, while Mosley Jr arrives with plenty of experience and will want to make his own mark in this matchup. Bentley’s pressure and willingness to trade should make for an interesting test against Mosley Jr’s experience.

Key Fight: Zach Parker vs Umar Dzambekov

Zach Parker (26-2-0) takes on unbeaten Umar Dzambekov (14-0-0) at light heavyweight. Parker has the more tested record, but Dzambekov’s unbeaten run makes this a proper opportunity for both men: Parker needs a convincing performance, and Dzambekov gets a chance to make a statement.

Rest of the Undercard

Featherweights Masood Abdulah (13-1-0) and Adan Palma (14-1-0) both come in with one defeat on their records, so neither will want to give ground easily.

Heavyweight Da’Mazion Vanhouter (13-0-0) puts his unbeaten record against Ivan Balaz (9-1-0).

Middleweight prospect Sam Hickey (6-0-0) faces Amaury Massenaux (16-4-1), a notably more experienced opponent.

At cruiserweight, unbeaten Lucas Roehrig (9-0-0) meets Connal McDonald (5-1-0).

Kayla Allen (1-0-0) steps up for her second professional bout against Julia Igel (5-2-0) at super lightweight.

Middleweight Vinnie Kemp makes his professional debut against Liam McElhinney (0-2-0).

Closing

Billam-Smith–Clarke has the personal history, Bentley–Mosley brings its own stakes, and Parker–Dzambekov is a useful test for an unbeaten contender. There’s plenty to get into before the main event.

Face Off Live Stream

Weigh-in Live Stream