Billam-Smith Sets Sights on Opetaia After Joining Zuffa Boxing

Following his signing with Zuffa Boxing, Chris Billam-Smith has expressed his desire to face Jai Opetaia, aiming to solidify his position as the world's best. This move also means his fights will now be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Billam-Smith previously held the WBO cruiserweight world title from May 2023 to November 2024, losing it to Gilberto Ramirez, but he bounced back 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 with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton. Billam-Smith stated, 'We are two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division and are signed under the same promoter.' He mentioned that part of his reason for signing with Zuffa was to secure high-profile fights, including one against Opetaia, who is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Billam-Smith, who has a multi-fight deal with Zuffa, has been out of the ring for over a year but has been training since January and is looking to announce his next fight soon. He expressed his eagerness to return to the ring, preferably in the UK, and to fight in his hometown of Bournemouth, where some of his most notable career moments have taken place.