Britain’s Chris Billam-Smith says he wants to hold on to his WBO cruiserweight title until he retires.
His first defence comes against Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak in his home town Bournemouth on 10 December.
“The motivation has changed because the goal isn’t to win the world title – it’s about cementing a legacy,” Billam-Smith told BBC South Today.
“You get that extra 20% when you become champion. I’d never heard of it until I won the title but it definitely feels like that.
“There is belief in all the work you have put in and you trust the process no-end after winning a title. The motivation now is to stay champion until I retire.”
Billam-Smith aware of Masternak threat
After an expected rematch with Okolie failed to materialise, Billam-Smith and 36-year-old Masternak will face off at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Masternak has 47 wins from 52 bouts over a 17-year-career and Billam-Smith said: “He’s one hard bloke. I am pretty sure he’s never been dropped once in his career.
“He was stopped once but that was 10 years ago. He’s a good all-rounder, has a good shot selection, good punch power, he’s really durable, has good feet – he’s the most well-rounded boxer I have faced by far.
“I know the dangers he possesses and know I have got to be on it. He’s been through every experience bar a world title fight, somehow. This is his first, I know what that feeling is like.
“It’s a huge challenge for me. Mentally he’s going to be on it, he’s had over 50 fights and this is his first world title fight – realistically if he gets beat it’ll probably be his last. My plan, unfortunately for him, is to make sure it is his last.
“I’m feeling superb, it’s been a really good camp. I’m prepared to go hell-for-leather for 12 rounds if needs be – if he can take it then he can take it.”
Billam-Smith’s victory over fellow Briton Okolie – his ninth straight win to take his record to 18 wins with one defeat – took place at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium, but he will face Masternak indoors at the Bournemouth International Centre.
“I am so excited to box back at the BIC,” he added. “The stadium is an outdoor venue and you lose some of the sound sometimes, especially in the middle of the ring, but at the BIC everyone is on top of you and it will sound like 20,000 people.”
The bout has been switched to Sunday to allow Bournemouth fans to travel to Old Trafford to watch their side face Manchester United in the Premier League the previous day and still attend the fight.
