Billam-Smith Sets Sights on Opetaia After Joining Zuffa

Following his signing with Zuffa Boxing, Chris Billam-Smith has expressed his desire to face Jai Opetaia in order to solidify his position as the world's best boxer. This move will also see him compete live on Sky Sports. Billam-Smith previously held the WBO cruiserweight world title from May 2023 to November 2024, before losing it to Gilberto Ramirez, but he rebounded with a win over Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, recently became the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion after defeating Glanton via unanimous decision. Billam-Smith stated, 'We are two of the most prominent names in the cruiserweight division and are both signed with the same promoter.' He added that his deal with Zuffa will help him prove his status as the world's best boxer by competing against the best, with Opetaia being a primary target. Having not fought in over a year, Billam-Smith is eager to return to the ring and has been in training since January, with a potential fight announcement expected soon.