Chris Billam-Smith has made it clear that he is aiming to meet Australia’s cruiserweight sensation Jai Opetaia in the ring, provided both fighters emerge victorious from their upcoming contests. The former world champion has long set his sights on Opetaia, who is widely acknowledged as the premier cruiserweight in the current boxing landscape. Opetaia is scheduled to face Noel Mikaelian on the undercard of the high‑profile bout between Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas on September 12. Billam‑Smith, meanwhile, expects to return to the canvas before the year’s end, after which he plans to resume his pursuit of a showdown with Opetaia.
He believes that the much‑anticipated encounter will ultimately take place in 2027. When asked by Sky Sports about his future plans, Billam‑Smith explained, "I think so. I think I need to get through my next fight and then I'll fight the winner of that, whoever that might be." He added confidence in Opetaia’s chances, stating, "Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him." Billam‑Smith also offered his assessment of Mikaelian, noting that while the Serbian‑born contender has a respectable résumé, he seems to be past his peak.
"It might take him a few rounds to set the pace and obviously Mikaelian's got some good names on his record, has some good performances but I feel like he's slowed down a little bit and gone a little bit past it now," the Briton said. Looking ahead to his own comeback, Billam‑Smith hinted at a November return, possibly in London or Bournemouth. "I think it will be London or Bournemouth.
Don't know who yet," he told Sky Sports. He also mentioned that other champions are busy with their own negotiations, referencing David Benavidez’s anticipated December fight in Las Vegas. The British fighter also reflected on the undercard of his recent bout with Ryan Rozicki, where Cheavon Clarke impressed with a knockout comeback victory over Jack Massey.
Billam‑Smith praised Clarke, noting their shared amateur history: "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." He further highlighted the quality of the Clarke‑Massey fight, calling it a strong candidate for "fight of the night" before his own main event. Both Clarke and Massey had previously defeated Billam‑Smith in elite‑level amateur finals, a fact that fuels Billam‑Smith’s desire for redemption. "I owe him one and I feel like that does the Jack Massey one in the ABA final as well.
Both of those have beaten me in an ABA final. That would put that to bed so that would be nice," he said, expressing openness to future match‑ups: "I'm up for whoever. Zuffa are signing people all the time so you just don't know who's going to pop up out the woodwork and get offered. So we will see on that front." Billam‑Smith’s recent career trajectory includes losing his WBO cruiserweight title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024, followed by a win over Brandon Glanton in his sole fight of the subsequent year.
His June clash with Ryan Rozicki demonstrated that, at 36, he can still compete at the highest level. Reflecting on that bout, he admitted that complacency would have cost him dearly: "I think if I'd taken my foot off the gas and was just sort of coasting I would definitely have been beat that night. I think that's the important thing to take away from my point of view." He emphasized the necessity of staying sharp and continuously improving his training regimen: "I had to be switched on and pushing the training as I do and looking for different ways to improve. I'm on it.
And I'm still getting better." Beyond the immediate fight plans, Billam‑Smith’s comments hint at broader ambitions within the cruiserweight division. By targeting Opetaia, he is positioning himself for a marquee bout that could elevate both fighters’ profiles and potentially draw significant pay‑per‑view interest. The 2027 timeline he mentions suggests a strategic approach, allowing both athletes to fulfill contractual obligations, recover from any injuries, and build up promotional hype.
The upcoming fight between Opetaia and Mikaelian will serve as a key indicator of Opetaia’s readiness for a future title clash. If Opetaia secures a convincing win, it will likely accelerate negotiations for a Billam‑Smith‑Opetaia showdown, possibly moving the date forward from the tentative 2027 window.
Conversely, a loss could reshape the landscape, prompting Billam‑Smith to consider alternative opponents, such as Clarke or Massey, whose recent performances have caught his eye. Fans can also look forward to additional content surrounding these developments.
The Sky Sports network will broadcast a new boxing drama series titled "Fightland" on August 27, with streaming available on NOW. The series promises behind‑the‑scenes insight into the sport, featuring interviews with fighters like Billam‑Smith and analysis of upcoming match‑ups. Meanwhile, the Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly boxing discussions, offering listeners deeper context on the sport’s evolving storylines.
In summary, Chris Billam‑Smith remains focused on securing a victory in his next bout, after which he intends to chase the winner of the Opetaia‑Mikaelian fight. His ultimate goal is a high‑stakes clash with Jai Opetaia, a contest he envisions taking place in 2027, though the exact timing will depend on how the 2025‑2026 calendar unfolds.
As the cruiserweight division continues to produce compelling narratives, Billam‑Smith’s determination, combined with his willingness to settle old scores with past amateur rivals, ensures that his name will stay prominent in the conversation surrounding the sport’s future headline events.