CHRIS Billam-Smith admitted he would love to defend a title in a Bournemouth showcase - should he capture his first professional belt.

The 29-year-old is set to take on Craig Glover for the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight crown in Liverpool on Saturday.

And the avid Cherries fan is eager to make history for his hometown by bringing the belt to the south coast.

Asked what a first professional title would mean to him, former Poole ABC man Billam-Smith told the Daily Echo: “It would be brilliant.

“It’s a prestigious belt and one everyone looks to win on their way to bigger and better things. It’s exactly the same plan for me.

“It’s a great belt and a lot of the time the Commonwealth and the British title are unified.

“Hopefully I can look at that British title after getting Saturday out of the way. Firstly, all thoughts are on Saturday night.

“This would be the Commonwealth title. Then, I will be looking next year to either get a show down in Bournemouth to defend that, or trying to get the British champion, whoever that is at the time.

“I would love to defend it back home in front of a home crowd. Bournemouth, I don’t think has had a televised boxing show.

“Steve Bendall has put on some good shows but it would be a massive show to get a big title fight down here, defend my belt and then the other lads round the area can box for their first titles on the undercard.”

Glover goes into the contest boasting 10 wins and two defeats on his professional record.

Shane McGuigan-trained Billam Smith has won nine of his 10 bouts in the pro ranks.

“I always knew I would end up fighting Craig Glover at some point and I’ve always said to Shane that I like the fight. Style-wise I think it’s a really good fight for me,” he added.

“We did six rounds together in one spar in September last year. He was a good fighter but I felt comfortable in there and I didn’t even spar to my full capabilities.

“He can punch hard, he can box as well and is not just a come forward and throw bombs sort of person. He knows how to fight.

“I could have taken a tick-over fight but I want these big fights, especially now it’s for the Commonwealth title. It was an opportunity I couldn’t let go.”