CBS aiming to continue Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth Chris Billam-Smith Boxing Football Sport

CHRIS Billam-Smith knows it is down to him to continue the town of Bournemouth’s sporting momentum, after his beloved Cherries achieved European qualification for the very first time.

AFC Bournemouth finished sixth in the Premier League to get to the Europa League, and CBS has written in his exclusive Daily Echo column about that achievement and following up himself.

He faces Ryan Rozicki this evening at the Bournemouth International Centre aiming to do just that in front of what he knows will be a bouncing home atmosphere.

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The feeling around the fight reminds the Gentleman of a previous bout at home.

"I think I said to someone earlier, it feels like, I think it was the Masternak fight [when he beat the Pole to defend his world title]," he told the Daily Echo.

(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

"We'd beaten United 3-0 the day before away at Old Trafford. So it feels like that.

"I feel like we're riding high momentum-wise. And it's down to me to keep that momentum going, especially into the World Cup for England this summer, but also the town and the club next year with huge European nights ahead.

"So I'm super excited for that and it's down to me to keep that momentum going."

The home crowd will play a big part in backing their fighter to get the job done.

"The support I think is the number one thing," Billam-Smith said.

"I think that room is made for the support I've got, and I think them two together with one of my fight nights is a real match made in heaven.

(Image: Richard Crease)

"I've got goosebumps now just thinking about it, and it's such a great feeling to walk out to that crowd, that atmosphere.

"And yeah, it's a real special occasion. I'm excited for Dana White and then the guys, all the team, the Zuffa and WWE lot, to see what that atmosphere is like.

"They're used to pretty good atmospheres with WWE especially, but I think they're going to be in for a nice surprise."

Billam-Smith said it wasn’t too difficult to convince White that bringing Zuffa’s first UK boxing show to Bournemouth was the best place for it.

"We know because we've experienced it," Billam-Smith said on the atmosphere.

"The first time was the hardest time to convince people. I didn't even expect it, it blew my mind off how good that was. But yeah, from then it's just been amazing every time."