After the final bell both fighters shared some emotional words, with Billam-Smith looking to make a point after the controversy of the week.

“I just told him that we can’t be saying things like that,” he said.

“There was thousands of kids watching the build-up and this is one of the biggest shows in the last few years.

“I just said we have to show what the sport should be about, if we are to be given a platform of this size then we need to be better role models – back and forth is fine but let’s not overstep the line.

“In a sport where we give everything and we risk our lives, you don’t need to be like that, we need to show some decency and humility. He did apologise.”

It was Billam-Smith’s first victory since defeat in Saudi Arabia when he lost to Gilberto Ramirez in a WBO and WBA unification bout.

He says he still has ambitions of returning to world level.

Aside from Ramirez the other champions are Australian Jai Opetaia, with the IBF belt, and Swedish boxer Badou Jack, who holds the WBC title.

“There’s opportunities around. I will have to wait a bit though, I feel,” Billam-Smith added.

“I think Zurdo Ramirez and Jai Opetaia are in talks to fight each other. If those two fight then the WBC route would be most likely for me, but we’ll see.

“For now it’s all about family time, having a bit of a rest from boxing and staying fit and then we’ll see where we go.”