Cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki is cleared to take on Chris Billam-Smith this weekend Bournemouth, and while looking forward to the fight Rozicki actually takes a look back in time, drawing inspiration from Jack Dempsey. Rozicki tells Sky Sports he specifically marvels at the brutality
on display in an old fight against Jess Willard, which is said to stand out as one of the more violent displays in the history of the sport.“What Jack Dempsey did on that night, on July 4, 1919 in Toledo, Ohio, changed
the course of boxing forever. I’d like to bring a little bit more of that,” Rozicki said. “Because although I like boxing, and appreciate the boxers, the movement, the technique, the jab, the angles, we don’t see enough of the violence – like two guys trying to actually hurt each other.”
Rozicki says he will bring more of that mentality to the sport and into this fight against Billam-Smith, as he says inflicting physical damage is always on the forefront of his mind as he looks to get his opponents out of there. Rozicki will enter this weekend’s fight as a betting underdog however, so he’s going to have to bring that cagey and fiery attitude between the ropes if he’s to offset what he’ll be facing opposite of him.
You can join us here at BLH for full coverage of this card which serves as Zuffa’s inaugural show in the United Kingdom.
