Boxing Jun 08, 2026

Jack Massey issues warning to Cheavon Clarke ahead of cruiserweight showdown and wants Chris Billam-Smith winner next

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Jack Massey issues warning to Cheavon Clarke ahead of cruiserweight showdown and wants Chris Billam-Smith winner next

Jack Massey insists he will get the better of Cheavon Clarke ‘on all levels’ in Saturday’s cruiserweight clash and is determined to face the winner of Chris Billiam-Smith’s hometown return in Bournemouth.

Former world title challenger Massey resumes his push back up the cruiserweight division against former Olympian Clarke at the Bournemouth International Centre, live on Your Site, ahead of Billam-Smith's battle with Ryan Rozicki on the same Zuffa Boxing card.

Massey has previously defeated Billam-Smith at amateur level and would relish the opportunity to do so again in the professional ranks, although 'One Smack' first wants to let his experience do the talking when he faces Clarke.

"It [against Clarke] is going to be a cracking fight, I just think I'm a better fighter overall and a lot more experienced than him," Massey told Your Site. "I have had a lot more fights. I have been around the game longer.

"I have been a professional for 13 years, been in bigger fights, stepped up in heavyweight and big fights, and fought world champions and past world champions.

"I just think I'm going to trump him on all levels."

On who he would like to face next, Massey reiterated: "We're going to be looking at the winner of the main event [Billiam-Smith vs Rozicki]. We'll see what happens. It doesn't matter who wins."

Massey has only featured once since losing to Jai Opetaia in October 2024, defeating Ivan Gabriel Garcia last November, although has been continually working with renowned trainer Joe Gallagher ahead of a fresh opportunity to impress.

"We've been in the gym, waiting for a fight," Massey admitted. "We've been helping Frazer Clarke prepare for his fight when he fought Justis Huni, so in a good place, sparring.

"Everything's there and then we got the phone call, the weight was fine, fitness was great, sparring, ring craft was great, so it was great timing.

"It [having Gallagher] is massive, massive. Joe's an exceptional trainer. He just knows everything about everything in boxing and his instructions are second to none.

"It's been absolutely fantastic training with Joe. I'm just learning from him. I've been boxing for 20 years and still learning things off Joe and little things what you didn't think you'd know".

Clarke himself lost the British cruiserweight title to Viddal Riley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last April, with his only fight since seeing defeaf Anthony Hollaway by a fourth-round TKO in December.

"He [Clarke] is obviously coming to win, Massey added. "I think it's make or break for him.

"For both of us, it's time to shine and show everyone you know what we're about, so it's going to be a great fight."

Watch Zuffa Boxing 07 this Saturday live on Your Site, with early coverage streamed from 5pm ahead of live action on Your Site Action, Your Site Main Event and Sky One from 7pm. or .

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Ivan Dychko: Anthony Joshua's former Olympic rival ready for UK return in Bournemouth and offers AJ vs Fury prediction

Ivan Dychko: Anthony Joshua's former Olympic rival ready for UK return in Bournemouth and offers AJ vs Fury prediction

Anthony Joshua’s Olympic rival Ivan Dychko has set his sights on becoming Kazakhstan’s first heavyweight world champion ahead of his UK professional d...

Chris Billam-Smith: How 'luxury' fight week of home comforts has left boxer feeling 'pressure' for Bournemouth return

Chris Billam-Smith: How 'luxury' fight week of home comforts has left boxer feeling 'pressure' for Bournemouth return

Family time in fight week is a privilege that boxers rarely get to experience but is a "luxury" that Chris Billam-Smith isn’t taking for granted ahead...

Chris Billam-Smith could hit the canvas if he engages Ryan Rozicki in an 'ego' battle on Saturday, says Johnny Nelson

Chris Billam-Smith could hit the canvas if he engages Ryan Rozicki in an 'ego' battle on Saturday, says Johnny Nelson

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...

Lee Cutler and Stephen McKenna divided over possible rematch ahead of both returning on Zuffa Boxing's Bournemouth show

Lee Cutler and Stephen McKenna divided over possible rematch ahead of both returning on Zuffa Boxing's Bournemouth show

Lee Cutler has resumed his war of words with rival Stephen McKenna ahead of the pair being on the same Bournemouth card for the first time since their...

Katie Taylor to face Flora Pili in farewell fight as WBC confirms fight ahead of Friday announcement

Katie Taylor to face Flora Pili in farewell fight as WBC confirms fight ahead of Friday announcement

Undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor looks set to end her stellar career against unbeaten French fighter Flora Pili.Taylor, 39, holds th...

Ryan Rozicki paying close attention to Chris Billam-Smith with late breakfast lesson ahead of cruiserweight clash

Ryan Rozicki paying close attention to Chris Billam-Smith with late breakfast lesson ahead of cruiserweight clash

Ryan Rozicki is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to deny Chris Billam-Smith a hometown victory on Saturday, even taking his preparation to the b...