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, aiming to solidify his position as 'the best in the world.' Billam-Smith, who previously held the WBO cruiserweight world title from May 2023 to November 2024, recently defeated Zuffa stablemate Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, was crowned the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion last month with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton. Billam-Smith stated, 'We're two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division, and we're both signed under the same promoter.' He emphasized that this factor played a significant role in his decision to sign with Zuffa, as it would facilitate high-profile matches. Billam-Smith added, 'Zuffa will help me prove to everyone else why I'm the best in the world, and that's by beating the best.' Having not fought in over a year, Billam-Smith has been in a training camp since January and is eager to announce his next fight soon. He expressed his desire to return to the ring, preferably in the UK, and to compete in his hometown of Bournemouth, where he has achieved some of his most notable career highlights, including becoming a world champion in 2023.