Following his signing with Zuffa Boxing, Chris Billam-Smith has expressed his desire to face Jai Opetaia, aiming to prove himself as the world's best. Billam-Smith, a former WBO cruiserweight world champion, held the title from May 2023 to November 2024 before losing it to Gilberto Ramirez. He then secured 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 with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton. Billam-Smith stated, 'We are two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division, and we're both signed under the same promoter.' He emphasized that this fight is a key reason for his decision to join Zuffa, as it will provide him with the opportunity to prove himself as the best by beating the best. With a multi-fight deal with Zuffa, Billam-Smith is eager to return to the ring after over a year, having been in training camp since January, and is looking forward to an upcoming fight announcement.