Billam-Smith Sets Sights on Opetaia Showdown After Zuffa Signing

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. Billam-Smith, a former WBO cruiserweight champion, will now have his fights broadcast live on Sky Sports. He previously held the title from May 2023 to November 2024, losing it to Gilberto Ramirez, but bounced back with a win over Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, recently became the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton. Billam-Smith stated that he and Opetaia are two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division and that a fight between them is inevitable, given their shared promoter. He emphasized that this matchup is a key reason he signed with Zuffa, as it will provide him with the opportunity to prove himself as the best in the world by defeating the best opponents. Having not fought in over a year, Billam-Smith is eager to return to the ring and has been in training since January. He hopes to announce his next fight soon and would like to have it take place in the UK, specifically in his hometown of Bournemouth, where he has had some of his most notable career victories.