Cheavon Clarke is well aware that he faces a Chris Billam-Smith carrying unfinished business into their headline clash on November 7. According to Sky Sports, Clarke's amateur dominance over Billam-Smith has set the stage for a bout charged with redemption.
The pair's history stretches back a decade. Clarke defeated Billam-Smith twice during their amateur careers, securing his passage into the GB squad and ultimately to the Tokyo Olympics. Billam-Smith, meanwhile, went on to capture world championship honours as a professional, but the sting of those earlier defeats remains. Billam-Smith has described his 2016 amateur defeat to Clarke in the national elite amateur championships final as "hard to watch" and believes the loss cost him a place in the Team GB squad.
Clarke, however, is unmoved by the prospect of facing a driven opponent.
The bull's always driven - but they get tamed. He'll come out with his tactics and everyone has a plan until they get in the ring. On the night we'll see,he told Sky Sports.
He's a former world champion so you have to give credit where it's due. But regardless I know what my ability is, I've been given a gift. It's wrong for me not to fulfil that gift. So come November 7 we will see.
Clarke is keen to downplay the significance of his amateur victories. The two fighters have evolved considerably since their last encounter, and he believes the passage of time has rendered those results largely irrelevant to the professional contest ahead.
We've changed so much as fighters in that time, we've evolved,Clarke explained.
Of course we fought in the past but that was in the amateurs. He's become a world champion, I've done my thing. Funnily enough it's actually a decade since we fought.
Yet Clarke is not dismissing the quality of entertainment that may unfold.
If it's anything like it was in the last two fights, you guys are in for a treat. Big punches, knockouts, it's all there.
Recent form and momentum
Both men arrive at the Copper Box Arena in impressive shape. Billam-Smith recently emerged victorious from a gruelling encounter with Ryan Rozicki, while on the same bill Clarke demonstrated his resilience by rising from the canvas twice to overcome Jack Massey.
Clarke's performance against Massey particularly showcased his ability to adapt under pressure.
People talk about the knockdowns and that's all great,he said.
He wasn't dictating the pace, I was dictating the pace. He was moving because I wanted him to move there. He caught me with a shot, fair play, he tried to finish me and that didn't work out. I then had to adjust. I adjusted and then I got the victory. I think that shows my calibre. I'm able to adjust. I'm able to manouevre, think on the spot and get the job done.
The November 7 event
The bout is scheduled as a 12-round cruiserweight main event for Zuffa Boxing 12 at London's Copper Box Arena. The card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, with the event also available on Paramount+ in North America.
