Jack Massey insists he will get the better of Cheavon Clarke ‘on all levels’ in Saturday’s cruiserweight clash and is determined to face the winner of Chris Billiam-Smith’s hometown return in Bournemouth.
Former world title challenger Massey resumes his push back up the cruiserweight division against former Olympian Clarke at the Bournemouth International Centre, live on Sky Sports, ahead of Billam-Smith’s battle with Ryan Rozicki on the same Zuffa Boxing card.
Massey has previously defeated Billam-Smith at amateur level and would relish the opportunity to do so again in the professional ranks, although ‘One Smack’ first wants to let his experience do the talking when he faces Clarke.
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Cruiserweights Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki predict big knockouts ahead of their huge clash on Saturday
“It [against Clarke] is going to be a cracking fight, I just think I’m a better fighter overall and a lot more experienced than him,” Massey told Sky Sports. “I have had a lot more fights. I have been around the game longer.
“I have been a professional for 13 years, been in bigger fights, stepped up in heavyweight and big fights, and fought world champions and past world champions.
“I just think I’m going to trump him on all levels.”
On who he would like to face next, Massey reiterated: “We’re going to be looking at the winner of the main event [Billiam-Smith vs Rozicki]. We’ll see what happens. It doesn’t matter who wins.”
Why Massey clash is ‘make or break’ for Clarke
Massey has only featured once since losing to Jai Opetaia in October 2024, defeating Ivan Gabriel Garcia last November, although has been continually working with renowned trainer Joe Gallagher ahead of a fresh opportunity to impress.
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Jai Opetaia showed off his spiteful combinations as he punished Jack Massey and forced the stoppage in round six
“We’ve been in the gym, waiting for a fight,” Massey admitted. “We’ve been helping Frazer Clarke prepare for his fight when he fought Justis Huni, so in a good place, sparring.
“Everything’s there and then we got the phone call, the weight was fine, fitness was great, sparring, ring craft was great, so it was great timing.
“It [having Gallagher] is massive, massive. Joe’s an exceptional trainer. He just knows everything about everything in boxing and his instructions are second to none.
Jack Massey (pictured) faces Cheavon Clarke on Saturday, live on Sky Sports
“It’s been absolutely fantastic training with Joe. I’m just learning from him. I’ve been boxing for 20 years and still learning things off Joe and little things what you didn’t think you’d know”.
Clarke himself lost the British cruiserweight title to Viddal Riley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last April, with his only fight since seeing defeaf Anthony Hollaway by a fourth-round TKO in December.
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Viddal Riley showed his class as he outboxed Cheavon Clarke and took ownership of the Lonsdale belt
“He [Clarke] is obviously coming to win, Massey added. “I think it’s make or break for him.
“For both of us, it’s time to shine and show everyone you know what we’re about, so it’s going to be a great fight.”
Watch Jack Massey vs Cheavon Clarke this Saturday ahead of Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki, live on Sky Sports, with early coverage streamed from 5pm ahead of live action on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.
