Chris Billam-Smith has made it clear that he hopes to meet Australia’s rising cruiser‑weight star Jai Opetaia in the ring, provided both men win their upcoming contests. The former world champion has kept Opetaia on his radar for some time, viewing the Australian as the premier talent in the division and a logical next step in his own comeback journey. Opetaia is slated to face Noel Mikaelian on the undercard of the high‑profile Conor Benn versus Ryan Garcia showdown in Las Vegas on September 12.
Billam-Smith, who is also looking to add another fight to his résumé before the year ends, says he will wait for the outcome of that bout before plotting his next move. "I think so.
I need to get through my next fight and then I'll fight the winner of that, whoever that might be," he told Sky Sports. In his view, Opetaia is the favorite, even though Mikaelian has a respectable record and has produced solid performances in the past. "Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him," Billam‑Smith added.
The British boxer believes the eventual showdown with Opetaia will likely take place in 2027, giving both athletes ample time to solidify their positions and build the hype needed for a marquee event. He also hinted that his own return could happen around November, with potential venues being London or Bournemouth, though the exact opponent remains undecided. "The champions seem a bit tied up, I think David Benavidez is lining up a fight for December as well in Vegas," Billam‑Smith noted, indicating that the heavyweight landscape is shifting and could open further opportunities. While discussing his future plans, Billam‑Smith also reflected on the undercard action that preceded his recent bout with Ryan Rozicki.
Cheavon Clarke impressed the crowd with a knockout comeback win over Jack Massey, a fight that Billam‑Smith praised as a potential "fight of the night" before his own contest took the spotlight. Clarke and Massey have both crossed paths with Billam‑Smith in the amateur ranks, each having bested him in elite championship finals. This history 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 explained, indicating that settling old scores remains a personal motivation.
Billam‑Smith’s recent career trajectory has been a mix of setbacks and resurgence. After losing his WBO cruiser‑weight title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024, he managed to secure a victory over Brandon Glanton in his sole fight of the following year. The June clash with Rozicki demonstrated that, at 36, he can still compete at a high level. "If I'd taken my foot off the gas and was just coasting, I would definitely have been beat that night," he admitted, emphasizing the importance of staying sharp and constantly seeking improvement.
"I had to be switched on, pushing the training as I do and looking for different ways to improve. I'm on it, and I'm still getting better." Looking ahead, Billam‑Smith remains open to any challenger who steps up.
"I'm up for whoever," he said, acknowledging the fluid nature of boxing contracts and the possibility that new contenders could emerge from the woodwork at any time. The ever‑changing roster of signed fighters, especially with organizations like Zuffa constantly adding talent, means that Billam‑Smith must stay adaptable and ready for unexpected match‑ups. In summary, Billam‑Smith’s roadmap points toward a November return, likely on British soil, followed by a strategic wait for the outcome of Opetaia versus Mikaelian.
Assuming Opetaia emerges victorious, the British ex‑champion envisions a high‑stakes encounter in 2027 that could settle multiple personal vendettas and cement his status among the cruiser‑weight elite. The upcoming months will be crucial for both men as they aim to solidify their positions, fine‑tune their skills, and generate the excitement needed for a bout that fans and promoters alike are already beginning to anticipate.