Chris Billam‑Smith has signaled that a bout with Australian cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia could be on the cards for 2027, provided both fighters emerge victorious from their upcoming contests. The former world champion has long set his sights on Opetaia, who is widely regarded as the premier cruiserweight in the division today. Opetaia is slated to face Noel Mikaelian on the undercard of the Conor Benn versus Ryan Garcia event in Las Vegas on September 12. Billam‑Smith, meanwhile, expects to step back into the ring before the year ends and then resume his pursuit of a showdown with Opetaia.
"I think so. I need to get through my next fight and then I'll fight the winner of that, whoever it might be," he told Sky Sports. When asked about Mikaelian, Billam‑Smith was candid: "Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him.
He might need a few rounds to set the pace, and while Mikaelian has some respectable names on his record and has delivered solid performances, I feel he's starting to slow down a bit now." Looking ahead to his own comeback, Billam‑Smith hinted that a November return is most likely, with the venue probably being either London or Bournemouth. He added that the heavyweight calendar is busy, noting that David Benavidez is also rumored to be planning a December fight in Las Vegas.
In the meantime, other fighters are making headlines on Billam‑Smith’s undercards. Cheavon Clarke earned a knockout victory in a comeback fight against Jack Massey on the undercard of Billam‑Smith’s recent clash with Ryan Rozicki.
"Obviously Chev won on my undercard. He’s got two amateur wins over me, so from a competitor’s point of view I’d very much like to get one back," Billam‑Smith remarked during a Sky Sports interview at a screening of the new boxing drama *Fightland*. Both Clarke and Massey have history with Billam‑Smith from their amateur days, each having defeated him in elite championship finals.
Billam‑Smith expressed a desire for redemption: "I owe him one, and I feel the same about the Jack Massey bout in the ABA final. Both of those have beaten me in an ABA final.
That would put that to bed, so that would be nice." He remained open about future opponents, noting the fluid nature of the sport: "I’m up for whoever. Zuffa are signing people all the time, so you never know who’s going to pop up out of the woodwork and get offered. We’ll see on that front." Billam‑Smith’s recent career trajectory includes a loss of his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024, followed by a win over Brandon Glanton in his sole fight of the previous year.
His June bout with Rozicki, a high‑octane encounter, demonstrated that the 36‑year‑old still possesses the ability to compete at the highest level. Reflecting on that fight, he said, "If I had taken my foot off the gas and was just coasting, I would definitely have been beaten that night. The key takeaway is that I had to stay sharp, push my training, and look for new ways to improve." He emphasized his ongoing commitment to growth: "I’m on it, and I’m still getting better." Beyond the immediate fight plans, Billam‑Smith’s aspirations for a future clash with Opetaia remain a central narrative. He believes that once both fighters have cleared their upcoming hurdles, a 2027 showdown is realistic.
The timeline aligns with the typical cadence of cruiserweight title cycles, giving each boxer time to defend or consolidate their positions before a marquee bout. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is packed with major events, and fans can follow the action through streaming platforms like NOW, which offers contract‑free access to live fights and highlights.
Additionally, the weekly *Toe2Toe* podcast provides in‑depth analysis and interviews with fighters, offering further insight into the motivations and strategies behind upcoming match‑ups. As the sport evolves, Billam‑Smith’s willingness to adapt his training and seek out challenging opponents underscores his determination to remain relevant in a division that continues to produce elite talent.
Whether he faces Opetaia in 2027 or takes on other rising contenders in the interim, his focus on continual improvement and redemption against past amateur rivals adds an intriguing layer to his narrative. Fans can look forward to the upcoming *Fightland* series on Sky and NOW, premiering on August 27, which promises to showcase the drama and intensity of modern boxing, including the storylines surrounding Billam‑Smith, Opetaia, and other key figures in the cruiserweight landscape.