Billam-Smith believes team Ramirez will be shocked in unification bout

Bournemouth cruiserweight sensation Chris Billam-Smith insisted Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and his team were “in for such a shock” when they face off in a titanic unification bout this weekend.

The duo are set to go toe-to-toe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, with both fighters putting their prized possessions on the line.

WBA title holder Ramirez is the odds-on favourite to triumph in the bout, but WBO champion Billam-Smith issued a warning to the Mexican and his team.

"It's funny because they're in for such a shock," former Poole ABC man Billam-Smith told Sky Sports' Toe2Toe podcast.

"Usually, I feel like it's my opponent that will be in for a shock whether that be Lawrence (Okolie) or Richard (Riakporhe) in previous fights. This time I feel Golden Boy, all the American media, his team and him will be very, very shocked.

"I like that, I lean into that and it's another thing to really look at and really bite down on. It's happened before.

"I've also been the favourite. I've experienced a lot now as a fighter. It's just drawing on any experience I've got in the situation that you're in and using it."

Victory this weekend would be Billam-Smith’s 21st as a professional, having made his pro debut in Bournemouth in September 2017.

(Picture: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER)