A new script: Why not Jack Massey against Chris Billam-Smith?

Trainer Joe Gallagher hopes Jack Massey’s win over Isaac Chamberlain last month means he will be considered as a potential challenger to WBO cruiserweight titleholder Chris Billam-Smith.

Massey (22-2, 12 KOs) surprisingly defeated Chamberlain in 12 rounds on June 15 to win the European title – a result that surprised many people.

“I was surprised when someone told me (Massey) was the underdog,” Gallagher said. “I didn’t see that. There was a four-week notice period and I was a little apprehensive about accepting the offer because Isaac himself was already training for a big fight on that show. But the opportunity came and since the Joe Parker fight (which Massey lost over 10 rounds in early 2023) he’s only made one appearance – and I think he’s a force to be reckoned with in that division. It was an opportunity and Jack went out there and did his thing.”

In the same frame, Billam-Smith defended his world title for the second time against Richard Riakophe and Gallagher felt that the winners had torn up the script of broadcaster Sky Sports, which, in the coach’s view, had in mind an all-London clash between Riakporhe and Chamberlain.

“I just think Sky would have wanted to do the big fight in London if Riakporhe and Chamberlain had won – but that didn’t happen,” Gallagher said. “Billam-Smith won and Jack Massey won and I would love to see that fight. I think Jack Massey has now proved his worth with Joe Parker and he beat Isaac Chamberlain and he should get that chance against Chris Billam-Smith.”

To make the story even more exciting, Massey has an amateur victory over Billam-Smith.

“There’s a history there,” Gallagher continued. “They both fight in the amateurs in the ABAs. Look, they’re two good guys. The fight doesn’t need to be sold by trash talk. They’re both very similar, and stylistically, in character, outside the ring, in things they’ve experienced in life, having kids – both – getting married – both – and I think it’s a good, solid national world championship fight. And right now everyone’s looking for big names, but I just think why not make this fight? If Riakporhe and Chamberlain had fought, that would have been the big fight in London to try.”

Massey’s victory, however, meant more than just an entry into title contention. Gallagher was a devoted student of legendary trainer and Champ’s Camp founder Phil Martin of Manchester, England, and Gallagher has moved his team of fighters to the historic gym.

In 1994, exciting Champ’s Camp cruiserweight Carl Thompson travelled to Italy to challenge Massimiliano Duran for the European cruiserweight belt and Gallagher has not passed up that anniversary, keen to ensure Martin’s name lives on.

“(Duran-Thompson was) Phil Martin’s last fight and we went to London (for Massey-Chamberlain) and brought him home for the 30th anniversary,” Gallagher said.