BOURNEMOUTH cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith told European champion Tommy McCarthy “stop trying to avoid me” and added: “I'd punch holes in you. Don’t bottle it!”

Belfast’s McCarthy holds the European belt having beaten Bilal Laggoune for the then-vacant crown last autumn.

He is set to defend the title against Romania’s Alexandru Jur on Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom show in Manchester this Saturday.

But when asked a possible bout with Billam-Smith down the road, McCarthy told Matchroom Boxing: “You know, before I fought Laggoune, Eddie (Hearn) said they want to make Billam-Smith-McCarthy for the European title and I was like ‘yes, no problem, let’s get it happening’.

“But I’ve won the European title now and I’m about to defend it. I want to go on to the next level.

“Fighting Billam-Smith in my opinion is a step back because he’s bringing nothing to the table.

“There’s no issues fighting him but my main objective from when I started boxing is to be a world champion. I want to go forwards, not backwards.

“It all depends what happens on Saturday night. I can’t look past Alexandru Jur, so talk to me about it after the Jur fight.”

Former Poole ABC star Billam-Smith responded to the clip on Twitter. A post from his account said: “Stop trying to avoid me. I'd punch holes in you. Don’t bottle it!”

McCarthy’s professional record stands at 17 wins and two losses. Billam-Smith has 12 wins and one defeat.