Following his signing with Zuffa Boxing, Chris Billam-Smith is now focused on facing Jai Opetaia to solidify his position as the world's best, with his bouts to be broadcast 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 London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year. Opetaia, also a Zuffa fighter, recently became the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Glanton.
Billam-Smith stated, "We are two of the biggest names in the cruiserweight division and are under the same promoter. I have boxed significant names like Richard Riakporhe and Lawrence Okolie in the past, so this fight is likely to happen." He emphasized that this matchup is a key reason for signing with Zuffa, saying, "Zuffa will help me prove I'm the best in the world by beating the best.
Everyone considers Jai Opetaia the best, and I've signed with Zuffa to chase this fight." Billam-Smith has a multi-fight deal with Zuffa and, despite being out of the ring for over a year since his last fight, has been in training since January and is looking to announce his next fight soon. He expressed his desire to return to the ring, preferably in the UK, saying, "I want to get back out there.
I've been out for a year, and I'd love to box back home in Bournemouth, which has been nearly three years. The goal is to get back out and then secure the big fights."