‘The guy was on the floor and snapped his leg’… Chris Billam-Smith tells wild David Haye sparring story

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Billam-Smith has opened up about his experience inside the gym with David Haye.

In his career, ‘The Gentleman’ has proven his fighting prowess beyond doubt, capturing the WBO cruiserweight world championship. And on Saturday evening, he’ll look to take his next step towards scaling the boxing mountain once again when he collides with Chev Clarke at the Copperbox Arena in London, UK.

Chris Billam-Smith watched David Haye drop a massive sparring partner

Long before he ever claimed world honours, Chris Billam-Smith honed his skills through sparring some of the best in the business. In addition to sharing the ring with George Groves, the Bournemouth brawler also had the opportunity to trade leather with David Haye. And right before he got his chance to learn from the superstar, he heard the almighty sound of one of the legend’s thunderous punches crashing on a rival’s skull.

WOW: Conor Benn makes stance very clear as potential fight with Conor McGregor moves closer to becoming a reality

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, Billam-Smith reminisced: “I remember getting ready to spar David, and he was in there with this bloke who was 19 stone and 6ft6. I heard this massive bang, and I turned around, and the guy was on the floor, and he snapped his leg on the way down as he got dropped. I remember looking at my coach and being like, ‘I guess I’m in then’, as if I wasn’t scared enough to be sparring David Haye. That was some memory.

“Then, I can’t remember if it was the same time or another time I sparred him, David ripped my head guard. I had it on, and he hit me with a shot that ripped the seam. I had to borrow someone else’s head guard. It’s always eventful sparring David Haye.”

Chris Billam-Smith wants revenge against Chev Clarke

Sparring ‘The Hayemaker’ helped Billam-Smith become the fighter he is today.

The warrior has achieved so much in the sport, but there’s still much more he wants to do, including getting his revenge at Zuffa Boxing 12 against a foe who’s previously gotten the better of him.

The 36-year-old explained: “Chev beat me in the amateurs, but that’s ten years ago. We’ve shared the ring as pros as well in sparring, and it’s always been really good, competitive rounds. For me, it’s a chance to get one back and get a win over him finally. He’s a really good fighter with lots of positive attributes. He’s durable, quick, powerful, with great foot movement and a decent boxing brain. It’s certainly not a walk in the park, but at this level, you don’t expect any of them to be.”

Zuffa Boxing returns to London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday, November 7, with an all-British cruiserweight main event, as former world champion Chris Billam-Smith faces Olympian Chev Clarke.
Tickets are available to purchase here.

Featured Image Credit: Getty