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. This move will see Billam-Smith fight live on Sky Sports, marking an exciting new chapter in his career.
Having previously held the WBO cruiserweight world title from May 2023 to November 2024, Billam-Smith lost the title to Gilberto Ramirez but swiftly rebounded with a win over Brandon Glanton at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, claimed the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight championship last month with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton.
Billam-Smith emphasized that being under the same promoter as Opetaia increases the likelihood of a matchup between them. He noted, 'We're two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division, and we're both signed with the same promoter.' This new partnership with Zuffa is expected to facilitate Billam-Smith's pursuit of high-profile fights, with the goal of proving his status as the world's best by defeating top opponents like Opetaia.
Billam-Smith, who has been in training since January, is eager to return to the ring after over a year's absence and is working towards securing a fight announcement soon. He expressed his preference for fighting in the UK, particularly in his hometown of Bournemouth, where he has enjoyed some of his most notable career successes, including becoming a world champion in 2023.