Following his recent 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. Having held the title from May 2023 to November 2024, he lost it to Gilberto Ramirez but bounced back with a win over Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, became the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion last month after defeating Glanton via unanimous decision.
Billam-Smith stated, "We are two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division and are signed under the same promoter... That's part of this deal and a key reason I signed with Zuffa." He emphasized that working with Zuffa will help him prove his status as the world's best by taking on top opponents like Opetaia. Billam-Smith has been in a training camp since January and is eager to announce his next fight soon, ideally in the UK, and eventually in his hometown of Bournemouth.