‘His career has been stalled and stagnated’ – Trainer explains why Isaac Chamberlain an underdog for European and Commonwealth title challenge

Isaac Chamberlain has been told that his inactivity is set to be a factor when he challenges for the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles on Saturday night.

That is the verdict of Shane McGuigan, who trains defending champion Chris Billam-Smith.

Billam-Smith has home advantage with the bout taking place at Bournemouth International Centre.

Brixton’s Chamberlain, 28, has won five in a row since losing a unanimous decision to Lawrence Okolie in February 2018. But the level of opposition has largely been low-key and seen him complete just six rounds. Billam-Smith, by contrast, has had 10 bouts over the same period and clocked up 73 rounds.

“It’s seen as a 50-50 and if you look talent wise then Isaac Chamberlain has got more talent than most people,” McGuigan told SecondsOut. “His career has been stalled and stagnated. He’s had a lot of issues with his career and he hasn’t had a live fight since Lawrence Okolie. He beat [Luke] Watkins, who he should’ve beaten and he beat [Dilan] Prasovic, but it remains to be seen how good he is.

“Prasovic got stopped in three or four rounds by Okolie but that was a very tentative fight for Lawrence, he was trying to find the right shot.

“Chamberlain got hurt in the first round [against Prasovic] and then stopped him. That was probably his best opponent since Okolie, which was a long time ago.

“If you look at activity and competitive fights – being in a deep situation for a long period of time – Chris has had that consistently for the last couple of years. That puts him in a lot better stead.

“He [Chamberlain] has got a little bit more to gain but everything is on Chris’ terms – it’s a home show and it’s not a world title fight or against a killer up at the top, it’s against a guy he should beat.”

Chamberlain (14-1, eight KOs) has hit back at McGuigan’s comments.

He said: “Focus on yourself and your own camp. That’s what we’ve been doing. Why are you focusing on how many rounds I’ve done?”

Chamberlain’s inactivity has partly been down to shoulder surgery and also promotional issues.

Winning this weekend would potentially line up a crack at new IBF world champion Jai Opetaia, ranked number one in the division after he outpointed Mairis Breidas in July.

“This is my time,” said Chamberlain. “I went through all this [the tribulations in his career] for a reason – to test my character and to test my strength.

“I’m always appreciative to have these opportunities because I know what it’s like to not have them.

“I’d just turned 23 when I fought Lawrence, I was very young and had to do a lot of maturing and finding myself. I did that and came back a different man.”

Chamberlain has respect for Billam-Smith (15-1, 11KOs), whose only reverse was a split decision to Walworth’s Richard Riakporhe in 2019. He has bounced back to win two major belts.

“Chris is a very good fighter – you don’t become European champion by doing nothing,” said the South Londoner. “He is strong, tough and durable. The pressure is on him. He has belts to lose and it is in his home town, he wants to look good.

“Opetaia’s manager has said they are interested in the winner. That’s a big carrot to dangle. I’d love to chase that fight.”