Ivan Dychko and Alex MacMillan secured hard-fought victories on June 6, 2026, as Zuffa Boxing 07 hosted the promotion’s first-ever event in the United Kingdom. Held at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) in England, the card featured a cruiserweight main event between hometown star Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki.
Early action from the preliminary bouts saw Ivan Dychko recover from a flash knockdown to secure a decision win, while Alex MacMillan ignited the local crowd with a dominant second-round stoppage.
The event marks a significant milestone for Zuffa Boxing as it expands its international footprint into the British market. Chris Billam-Smith, a former WBO cruiserweight champion, returned to his home soil aiming to rebuild toward a world title opportunity.
Following his title loss to Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez in late 2024, Chris Billam-Smith viewed this 10-round clash against Ryan Rozicki as a vital stepping stone toward a possible fight with Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
This UK debut follows a period of high-profile activity across the global boxing scene. While some fighters have recently explored emerging markets, a move Eddie Hearn described as historic during the Usyk-Verhoeven talks in Egypt, Zuffa is currently focused on consolidating its presence in traditional heartlands. The atmosphere inside the BIC reflected the high stakes for the local fighters involved.
Ivan Dychko survives scare to defeat Harvey Dykes
In the heavyweight division, Ivan Dychko moved his professional record to 16-1 following a competitive 10-round battle with Harvey Dykes. The six-foot-nine Kazakhstan native, a two-time Olympic medallist, largely controlled the pace using his height and reach. However, Harvey Dykes provided a scare in the final minute of one round, landing a short right hook that sent the off-balance Ivan Dychko to the canvas.
Ivan Dychko recovered quickly from the knockdown to see out the remainder of the contest. The judges returned a split decision with two scorecards reading 97-92 in favor of Ivan Dychko, while the third official saw it 95-94 for Harvey Dykes.
The victory keeps Ivan Dychko active in the heavyweight rankings, though the late-round knockdown against a previously 7-0-1 opponent highlighted the risks inherent in the division.
Alex MacMillan dominates Leo Fanthome with early stoppage
Welterweight Alex MacMillan improved his unblemished record to 4-0 with a clinical performance against Leo Fanthome. Fighting in front of his home crowd, Alex MacMillan established his dominance early by dropping Leo Fanthome twice in the first round.
The first knockdown came courtesy of a big right hand midway through the opening frame, followed shortly by a second clubbing shot that sent Leo Fanthome back to the floor.
The end of the bout came at 1:44 of the second round. Alex MacMillan landed another powerful right hand that sent Leo Fanthome to the canvas for the third time in the fight. Following a vicious flurry of punches from Alex MacMillan, Leo Fanthome’s corner threw in the towel to prevent further damage.
This technical knockout victory underscores Alex MacMillan’s status as a rising prospect under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Preliminary results and light heavyweight action
Leon Hughes also secured a stoppage victory on the undercard, defeating Mario Vergiev in their light heavyweight encounter. Leon Hughes improved his professional record to 5-0 by halting the Bulgarian opponent 52 seconds into the third round. The TKO victory followed a focused performance from Leon Hughes, who had entered the ring with a 4-0 record and maintained his momentum against the 8-4 Mario Vergiev.
The early results set the stage for a main card that included cruiserweights Jack Massey and Cheavon Clarke. Such technical matchups are often the proving ground for championship aspirations, similar to how legendary champions like Roberto Duran respected high-level opposition throughout their careers.
For the fighters at the BIC, the evening represented a chance to prove they belong at the pinnacle of the cruiserweight and middleweight ranks.
Zuffa Boxing 07 broadcast and venue logistics
The Bournemouth International Centre opened its doors to fans at 4:00 PM local time, with a variety of ticket tiers available. VIP packages, priced from £372.35, offered fans amenities including a dedicated fast-pass lane for merchandise and a post-fight in-ring photo opportunity. This premium approach aims to elevate the fan experience as the promotion establishes its UK presence.
International viewers were able to follow the action through multiple platforms. Paramount+ held exclusive rights in the United States and Canada, while Sky Sports Action provided domestic coverage in the United Kingdom and Ireland. For other global regions, the Zuffa Boxing YouTube channel hosted a free live stream of the preliminary bouts, ensuring wide accessibility for the promotion’s British debut.
The winner of the night’s main event between Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki is expected to be next in line for a shot at Jai Opetaia. While other contenders like David Benavidez have looked toward alternative targets, the cruiserweight landscape remains focused on the Zuffa Boxing world title.
The successful execution of Zuffa Boxing 07 suggests Bournemouth could remain a key location for future international events.
