UNDEFEATED Chris Billam-Smith revealed how he had tried to motivate opponent Robin Dupre to extend the biggest fight of his professional career.

The Bournemouth cruiserweight proved far too much for the Dagenham puncher, who retired after five rounds of their Commonwealth title eliminator at York Hall.

But despite the 31-year-old Dupre telling the Shane McGuigan-trained star his fight was over, Billam-Smith remarkably urged his opposite number to carry on.

The Dorset fighter told the Daily Echo: “He said ‘I’m done’ and I told him he had more than that.

“He said ‘all right’ and went back to his corner to tell him he was going to carry on – but the ref had already waved it off so it was too late.

“I motivated him! Fair play to him, he’s a lovely bloke and came to fight.

“I wanted to do more because I was starting to find my rhythm and my shots and box better. When you start finding your range and finding your shots you want to keep doing that because that’s what we are in the sport for.

“It was my first 10 rounder and I was ready for 10 rounds. It was a high pace because that’s how I like to box. It was a good experience for me and I can only learn from it.

“He took a couple of decent shots but he was also very tricky. He was good at riding shots and taking the power out of shots.

“But all in all it was another win without boxing my best, so I can’t complain.”

Formerly of Poole ABC, Billam-Smith is now the mandatory challenger for the Commonwealth belt, which is up for grabs when Wadi Camacho and Arfan Iqbal battle in Bethnal Green next month.

And the former Stourfield Junior pupil insisted he still had much more to offer in preparation for his first professional title fight.

“On Saturday, I probably showed 30 per cent of what I am capable of and I am still learning.

“I need to keep doing that and showing the improvements.

“My performance was far from what I’m capable of. Sometimes that’s down to the opponent, so I have to give Dupre credit.

“I think I just tried too hard in trying to land the punch and slow him down rather than just boxing. Eventually I boxed, you need to set up shots and, when I started doing that, I started hurting him and then he wanted out.”

Camacho and Iqbal are set to compete on November 17, with Billam-Smith poised to be ringside to scout his future opponent.

“I plan on going unless my girlfriend Mia has any plans for me already that weekend! I should be there,” he added.

“It was mine and Mia’s four-year anniversary the other day, so I need to treat her to a meal. I owe her a lot as she has done a lot for me during my last camp.”

The 28-year-old is planning to have another tune-up bout later this year in preparation for his tilt at the title.

He said: “They are fighting in November so, realistically, we wouldn’t fight until the end of February or early in March.

“I don’t want to spend too long out of the ring at this stage of my career.”

Cherries fan Billam-Smith’s professional record now stands at seven wins, with six coming by way of knockout.