SOMETIMES, a boxer just doesn't want to talk. Brandon Glanton (20-2, 17 KOs) has done enough in the build-up to his clash with former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs), believing his display will speak volumes come April 26.

The pair will appear on a busy bill featuring two cruiserweight contests, as part of The Ring's Fatal Fury: City of the Wales event headlined by Chris Eubank Jr vs. Connor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday - live on DAZN PPV.

Many insiders have questioned, both privately and in public, whether this return fight is the wisest decision for Bournemouth's Billam-Smith, just 161 days after his unsuccessful attempt at unifying the 200lb division against Gilberto Ramirez in Riyadh.

Broken right thumb, fractured left hand, internal and external stitches over his eye and damaged ribs on the lengthy list of physical ailments he needed to heal from, while the mental toll of another gruelling 12-rounder would've eaten away at his resolve to go again. Yet, The Gentleman refused to make excuses and instead insisted he'd be back stronger for the experience.

While Chris is an easy boxer to root for as he targets becoming a two-time world champion, Glanton isn't convinced.

"He's a dog... until he gets into the ring with a bigger one," he told The Ring.

Although most of this interview felt strained, Glanton noticeably more mindful of his wordage after some bold proclamations gained traction on social media, there was one topic he didn't hesitate with. What were his thoughts on Billam-Smith's performance against Ramirez?

"He didn't make any adjustments, was just being hard-headed. Obviously wasn't the puncher in that fight, his come-forward attitude wasn't working for him but even though he was getting clobbered, just kept his feet in the quicksand trying the same thing and that didn't work. It just shows me his ability to adjust is lacklustre."

In other interviews with British media, Glanton deemed this duel a turning point for both. They have identical professional records - Glanton's knockout percentage is 20% higher - and the California-based contender called it a s--- or get off the pot fight. Why?

"He's been world champion and reached the heights of the food chain so coming down now, has to knock off a contender. He's being pushed into this, guys don't want to fight me... here's my shot to show what I am, the world can see something different."

BOXXER chief Ben Shalom told The Ring in January that while Billam-Smith was in pursuit of reclaiming championship gold, he'd like to see the 34-year-old in "sexy fights" going forward. Two-time world light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde, who faces Lyndon Arthur in a trilogy bout elsewhere on this card, was a possibility he rejected.

Glanton though, ranked #3 by the WBA and #5 with the WBC, presents him with an opportunity for a marquee victory on another big stadium show, his third in three years. Not bad for a perennial overachiever.

Boxing can be a lonely sport at times but is also a brotherhood and the brash visitor will have the benefit of sage advice from a familiar face, given his surprise friendship with another former WBO cruiserweight world champion in Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs).

On how that friendship formed, he said: "We were supposed to fight! Unfortunately, I came up short in the David Light fight, that was the opportunity there, so I actually ended up helping him get ready [for Light], spent a lot of time with him and it just developed from there."

Light, who suffered a mild stroke and had surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain, was forced into an early retirement just six months after a career-best split decision win over Glanton. Okolie cruised to a UD12 win over the Kiwi four months later, then sought a quick turnaround and that decision set about the chain of events prompting his move to join the sport's glamour division.

Okolie might not be the picture of peak physical performance now that he's not bound by boiling himself down to 200lbs, though Glanton isn't worried about how his friend's heavyweight campaign will continue.

"As long as he continues to train hard, develop his power and keep good conditioning, he'll be fine. He's definitely a big guy and can punch, is a pretty good athlete so just gotta stay on his ps and qs, he'll get around those big guys."

Glanton's manager Napper declares him the most violent person he's seen in the ring, so how does the 33-year-old correctly harness that aggressive side to stay composed and complete the job done against a tenacious opponent on away soil?

"He's used to coming back from being hurt, but he'll disintegrate when I hit him. It's like comparing apples and oranges, we're different and I think, it's just who I am, I can't change that. He has no idea what he's getting in there with."

Content being a promotional free agent, he's relishing the chance to upset the apple cart on a card where seven of the ten boxers are British-born and have built their own fanbases across the country, Billam-Smith included. For those who haven't seen him box but will be tuning in next weekend, what should they expect?

"Explosive, violent activity. Don't f---ing blink, I promise."