PROMOTER Eddie Hearn believes Chris Billam-Smith "has a big future" after the Bournemouth puncher made a successful defence of his commonwealth cruiserweight title.

Billam-Smith stopped Welshman Nathan Thorley in the second round at Matchroom's Fight Camp in Essex to extend his record to 10-1.

"I love Billam-Smith," Hearn told boxing YouTube channel iFL TV.

"He's very aggressive, he punches very hard and was just a level above Nathan Thorley.

"Thorley was hurt in the first round and in the second round he just decided to have a go and walked onto an absolute beast of a right hand. It was a great performance."

Hearn continued: "I want to see him in with Tommy McCarthy now for the European title. I think that's the fight. I think Chris Billam-Smith has a big future."

Asked if a rematch with Richard Riakporhe could also be on the cards, the only man to defeat Billam-Smith in his pro career, Hearn added: "We want to see that. I think Riakporhe has to fight (Deion) Jumah and if he comes through that we can make the Billam-Smith fight as well.

"I think Chris Billam-Smith is on board, he's a quality fighter."