BOURNEMOUTH cruiserweight sensation Chris Billam-Smith is relishing the opportunity to make it a hat-trick of professional wins in his hometown.

The 27-year-old has been revealed as the headline fighter on Steve Bendall’s ‘The Dawning’ show at the 02 Academy on June 16.

Billam-Smith overcame Russ Henshaw in the first round of his professional debut at the same venue.

‘The Gentleman’ also stopped durable Romanian Gheorghe Danut after five rounds at the Bournemouth arena back in March.

And while the former Poole ABC man has boxed on undercards in Edinburgh, Leicester and at Wembley Arena, he admitted there was no place like home.

He told the Daily Echo: “I boxed in Edinburgh on Josh Taylor’s undercard and Wembley Arena on George Groves’s undercard.

“They are all good arenas but nothing beats being at home with family and friends there. The atmosphere is just unbelievable and anyone who was at the last show, which was sold out, can vouch for that.

“It’s mad to headline a show in your hometown for the first time. To finally be in the situation I am in is a great feeling.

“I just love boxing there. It’s a shame it’s not bigger because eventually we may have to move on to bigger venues. My mum’s house cannot be any more than 500-metres away from it. I always stay there the night before the fight because she has a spare bed then I walk to the venue.

“It’s good for her because she can have a drink and just walk home – it doesn’t cost her anything!”

Billam-Smith’s opponent for his sixth test as a professional is yet to be announced.

But he believes whoever faces off against him next month will have to deal with an electric atmosphere.

“Although it’s a small arena, it’s like a cauldron in there,” he added.

“It’s like you are at the bottom of a pit and everyone is just screaming, it’s an incredible atmosphere. As an opponent, that sort of atmosphere can be difficult for them.”