Chris Billam‑Smith has signaled that a showdown with Australian cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia could be on the cards for 2027, provided both fighters win their respective 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, after which he intends to resume his pursuit of a bout 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," Billam‑Smith told Sky Sports. He added, "Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him." The British boxer believes the Opetaia fight will materialise in 2027, giving him enough time to rebuild momentum after his recent outings. He hinted that his next fight could take place around November, likely in London or Bournemouth, though he did not name an opponent yet.
"The champions seem a bit tied up, I think David Benavidez is lining up a fight for December as well in Vegas," he noted, indicating the crowded heavyweight calendar. Billam‑Smith’s recent activity includes a victory over Brandon Glanton last year and a loss of his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024. His most recent high‑profile clash was a thunderous bout with Ryan Rozicki in June, which demonstrated that the 36‑year‑old can still compete at the elite level. After that fight he reflected, "If I’d taken my foot off the gas and was just coasting I would definitely have been beat that night.
The important thing is I stayed switched on, pushed my training, and kept looking for ways to improve. I’m still getting better." During a screening of the new boxing drama "Fightland" on Sky Sports, Billam‑Smith also discussed the undercard performances that have caught his eye.
Cheavon Clarke, who knocked out Jack Massey on Billam‑Smith’s own undercard against Rozicki, impressed the former champion. "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 said. He praised the Clarke‑Massey bout as a potential "fight of the night" before his own match took the spotlight.
Both Clarke and Massey have history with Billam‑Smith from their amateur days, having defeated him in elite championship finals. Billam‑Smith expressed a desire for redemption, stating, "I owe them one. Those ABA final losses to Jack Massey and the others still sting. Getting a win over them would put that to bed, so that would be nice." He remained open to future opponents, noting the fluid nature of boxing contracts: "Zuffa are signing people all the time, so you never know who will pop up out of the woodwork." Looking ahead, Billam‑Smith’s schedule appears to revolve around securing a win in his next fight, then targeting the winner of Opetaia versus Mikaelian.
If Opetaia emerges victorious, the British fighter believes a 2027 clash would be a logical next step, giving both men ample time to prepare and settle any contractual obligations. He also hinted that the venue for his upcoming fight could be a major UK city, potentially London, which would provide a large platform for a high‑profile bout.
In addition to his personal ambitions, Billam‑Smith highlighted the broader boxing landscape, mentioning upcoming events such as the 2026 boxing schedule and streaming options like NOW for contract‑free viewing. He encouraged fans to use Chrome for the best video experience, underscoring the importance of accessibility in modern sports broadcasting. Overall, Billam‑Smith’s roadmap is clear: secure a win in his next scheduled fight, keep his training intensity high, and then set his sights on a marquee encounter with Jai Opetaia, likely in 2027. The former champion’s confidence, coupled with his willingness to face past rivals and adapt to the evolving boxing market, suggests he remains a compelling figure in the cruiserweight division.
Fans can look forward to his potential return to the ring later this year, followed by a strategic buildup toward what could become one of the most anticipated cruiserweight clashes in recent memory.