TRAINER Shane McGuigan revealed Chris Billam-Smith had suffered a “really bad shoulder injury” just four weeks before the biggest win of his life.

The Bournemouth fighter captured the European and British cruiserweight titles to go with his already claimed Commonwealth belt, with a split decision win over Tommy McCarthy at Fight Camp.

Billam-Smith got the better of the Belfast puncher on the judges’ scorecards as he gained the chance to potentially compete at world level.

And McGuigan, who has overseen the entirety of Billam-Smith’s professional career, revealed how the man nicknamed The Gentleman could not spar ahead of the most important night of his career.

The world-renowned coach told DAZN: “He (Billam-Smith) had a really bad shoulder injury about four weeks ago – and we haven’t sparred since that.

“To come in here without sparring, just hitting the pads and bags. It wasn’t his best performance, it wasn’t clean but he got the win and we’ve got all these belts.

“Chris is probably one of the biggest grafters in the gym. He sets the standard so everyone has to up their game.”

Asked for his emotions post-fight, Billam-Smith said: “Elated. It’s been a hard camp – some serious downs but it was all worth it.

“It was attritional but I was fitter throughout. I could win rounds comfortably but that’s McGuigan Gym circuits for you, they get you fit.”

The Dorset star lost on one card by a solitary point before triumphing in the eyes of the other two judges.

Assessing the contest, the former Poole ABC man added: “I felt like I hurt him early on. He hit me with a good shot in the first but I also hurt him in the first round with a left hook.

“I was hurting him a lot. I could hear him breathing on the inside. Even when I hurt him in the fifth, fair play to him, he was saying ‘come on boy’ trying to kid me, but I knew he was blowing.

“I graft hard. I had gears, I didn’t keep it clean but I had the fitness in there.

“I felt comfortable. I don’t know how he could have won seven rounds personally but that’s the judges’ scorecards. They are sat in a different position than me.”