Chev Clarke Stops Chris Billam Smith in Seventh Round Upset

Chev Clarke defeated Chris Billam Smith by a seventh round technical knockout at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, handing the former world champion his first stoppage defeat.

Clarke landed a decisive overhand right at the beginning of the seventh round that sent Billam Smith to the canvas.

The Bournemouth fighter rose to his feet on unsteady legs before referee Lee Every stopped the contest following a second knockdown.

The victory extends Clarke's professional record to 13 wins and 2 defeats while handing Billam Smith his third career loss.

The match carried added significance following two previous amateur losses to Clarke a decade ago.

The early rounds featured a scrappy and physical contest with frequent clinches as both competitors traded blows.

Clarke maintained the sharper delivery throughout the evening, frequently finding success with his right hand over the top.

"Fair play to Chev," said Chris Billam Smith, the former world champion. "We've had three fights now and he's got them all. I'd love to run it back and get him eventually."

"I do what champions do," said Chev Clarke, the victor. "I'm happy. Arsenal won and I won. My training camp was good and you saw that in the ring. I'll take all-comers going forward."

Billam Smith immediately protested the stoppage while his opponent shrugged his shoulders in the center of the ring.

Fight promoter Dana White expressed a different view on the conclusion of the bout.

White said that he felt the referee halted the action prematurely.

In the chief support bout, Denzel Bentley secured a unanimous decision victory over Shane Mosley Jr after 10 rounds.

Bentley dropped Mosley to the canvas with a straight right hand during the second round.

The win follows a turbulent week in which Bentley was stripped of his WBO middleweight title.

Clarke now positions himself for potential bouts against top contenders within the cruiserweight division.