CHRIS Billam-Smith made a successful first defence of his European cruiserweight crown, winning by unanimous points decision against Dylan Bregeon.

After some scrappy early exchanges, the Bournemouth boxer eventually wore down the Frenchman, finishing strongly to claim the victory at Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

All three judges gave the fight to Billam-Smith in resounding fashion, 120-109 from one and 119-109 from the other two, Bregeon only adjudged to have won one round of the 12 at best.

Bregeon, who came into the fight with a professional record of 11-1-1 having suffered the first defeat of his career against Fabio Turchi in Milan last time out, began as a 9-1 outsider with bookmakers.

But he quickly got embroiled in a battle with CBS, who was unable to assert his authority in the opening round.

However, ‘The Gentleman’ delivered a strong right hand to the side of Bregeon’s head in round two, busting open the 27-year-old’s left ear.

Undeterred, the French fighter dug in and soaked up some shots from Billam-Smith, as the fight developed into a war of attrition.

Trainer Shane McGuigan urged CBS to get behind his jab, but whenever he attempted to, Bregeon held on to scrap at closer quarters.

The 31-year-old drew blood from Bregeon’s nose in round six, but still he stood firm as both fighters appeared to be tiring.

However, Billam-Smith found a second wind to dominate the closing stages. Bregeon was saved by the bell after a strong finish from the Dorset ace in round nine, before Billam-Smith delivered perhaps his strongest round, clearly the aggressor against the fatigued outsider.

CBS was looking comfortable, doing his best to finish Bregeon off.

But, to the Frenchman’s credit, he stayed on his feet right through to the bell of the 12th, before the judges made their verdict.

Billam-Smith won the belt after a split-decision against Tommy McCarthy in July, but it was a far more straightforward call for the judging panel this time around.

The win takes former Poole ABC man Billam-Smith to a professional record of 14-1, a victory he will hope will take him a big step closer to a homecoming fight in Bournemouth early next year.