Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe 2 won’t be Selhurst Park’s only solid cruiserweight showdown on June 15th, as Boxxer announced that Isaac Chamberlain will challenge Michal Cieslak
Chamberlain (16-2, 8 KO) won both the British and Commonwealth belts last October with a unanimous decision over unbeaten Mikael Lawal. He declined to defend said British title against Cheavon Clarke in favor of vacating it earlier this month, and while I can respect his desire to challenge for superior hardware, waiting until just before the purse bid seems like a dick move.
Ethics aside, he’s a solid operator whose only pro losses came to Lawrence Okolie and the aforementioned Billam-Smith.
“We relinquished the British title to step up to world level,” said Chamberlain. “I’m grateful that this is a chance to be European Champion. This will show that I’m world class and destined to be champion of the world. A win over Cieslak puts me top five in all the governing bodies and on the cusp of a world title fight.
“To get this opportunity on such a big stadium event makes it even sweeter. I’m sure South London is going to turn out and Selhurst Park will be rocking on June 15th when I’m crowned the new European Champion.”
Poland’s Cieslak (26-2, 20 KO) has come up short in two world title bids, dropping a competitive decision to Ilunga Makabu in 2020 and a much uglier UD to Okolie two years later. That said, he’s got a good body attack and some real power, as Tommy McCarthy learned last November.
Cieslak is no. 2 with the WBO behind Riakporhe, so whoever wins here could be right in line for another title shot.
“My goal is to fight for the world championship again, but I am aware that defending my European title, especially against a dangerous and high rated fighter like Isaac Chamberlain brings me closer to that goal,” said Cieslak. “This is another step for me to reach my dreams. If I want to be world champion, I have to win against rivals like Chamberlain.
“My debut on British soil ended in defeat, so now I will have extra motivation to get even. I’m maturing and making progress with every performance. My last fight ended quicker than I thought it would, so I’m hoping that in the showdown with Chamberlain, I’ll have the opportunity to have fun in the ring a little longer.”