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 world's best. This pursuit will unfold live on Sky Sports, marking a significant development in Billam-Smith's career. Having previously held the WBO cruiserweight world title from May 2023 to November 2024, Billam-Smith suffered a loss to Gilberto Ramirez but 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 emphasized the inevitability of their matchup, given their shared promoter and stature in the cruiserweight division. He noted, 'We're two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division. We're both signed under the same promoter.' Billam-Smith's deal with Zuffa is multifaceted, with the primary goal of proving his world-class status by defeating the best, notably Opetaia, who is widely regarded as a top contender. Billam-Smith has been in a training camp since January and is eager to return to the ring, ideally in the UK, after over a year's absence. His aspiration is to secure a fight announcement soon and eventually compete in his hometown of Bournemouth, where he has enjoyed significant career milestones, including becoming a world champion in 2023.