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. This move will see him compete live on Sky Sports. Billam-Smith previously held the WBO cruiserweight world 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 in London.
Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, recently became the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion 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 added that this factor played a significant role in his decision to sign with Zuffa, as it will provide him with the opportunity to prove himself by beating the best, including Opetaia.
With a multi-fight deal in place, Billam-Smith has been in training since January and is eager to announce his next fight soon, preferably in the UK.