Chris Billam‑Smith has made it clear that a bout with Australian cruiserweight sensation Jai Opetaia is on his radar for the future, provided both fighters emerge victorious from 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 current boxing landscape. Opetaia is slated to face Noel Mikaelian on the undercard of the high‑profile showdown between Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas on September 12. Billam‑Smith, meanwhile, expects to step back into the ring before the year concludes, after which he intends to resume his pursuit of a fight with Opetaia.
In his view, that showdown is likely to materialise in 2027. "I think so.
I need to get through my next fight and then I'll take on whoever wins that bout," Billam‑Smith told Sky Sports. "Mikaelian is a solid opponent on his day, but I would back Jai to come out on top." When asked about Mikaelian’s credentials, Billam‑Smith added, "He has a respectable résumé and some notable wins, but I feel he may be past his peak and could take a few rounds to find his rhythm." Looking ahead to his own comeback, Billam‑Smith hinted at a November return, possibly in London or Bournemouth, though he declined to name a specific opponent.
"The champions are all tied up at the moment. I hear David Benavidez is lining up a December fight in Vegas, so the calendar is pretty packed," he noted. The undercard of Billam‑Smith’s recent clash with Ryan Rozicki featured a knockout‑filled performance by Cheavon Clarke, who secured a comeback victory over Jack Massey. Billam‑Smith praised Clarke’s effort, saying, "He’s beaten me twice in the amateurs, so I’d love to return the favor.
It would be a nice way to settle those old scores." Both Clarke and Massey were former amateur rivals of Billam‑Smith, each having bested him in ABA finals. "I owe them both," Billam‑Smith admitted.
"I’m open to any opponent. The sport is always changing—new names pop up all the time—so we’ll see what opportunities arise." Billam‑Smith’s recent career trajectory includes losing his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024, followed by a victory over Brandon Glanton in his sole bout of the following year. His June encounter with Rozicki demonstrated that, at 36, he can still compete at the highest level.
Reflecting on that fight, he said, "If I had taken my foot off the gas, I would have been beaten that night. The key takeaway is that I stayed focused, kept the pressure on, and looked for ways to improve." He emphasized his commitment to continual development: "I’m still training hard, looking for new methods to get better. I’m not complacent; I’m always pushing forward." Beyond the ring, Billam‑Smith highlighted the growing accessibility of boxing content. He encouraged fans to use Chrome for the best video experience and mentioned that the sport’s schedule for 2026 is shaping up with several marquee events.
Streaming platforms like NOW now offer contract‑free boxing, while podcasts such as Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis and highlights. The upcoming fight between Opetaia and Mikaelian will serve as a crucial indicator of the Australian’s readiness for a potential clash with Billam‑Smith. If Opetaia prevails, the path to a 2027 showdown becomes clearer. Conversely, a loss could shift the landscape, prompting Billam‑Smith to reconsider his target.
Billam‑Smith remains pragmatic about his timeline. "I think November is the most likely window for my next fight," he said. "Location could be London or Bournemouth, depending on the promoter. The heavyweight scene is busy, with Benavidez possibly fighting in December in Vegas, so we’ll have to fit in where we can." In summary, Chris Billam‑Smith is positioning himself for a return to the ring before the end of the year, with an eye firmly set on a future bout against Jai Opetaia.
While the exact date remains uncertain, the British fighter believes the encounter will materialise in 2027, contingent on both men winning their upcoming matches. He remains open to other challenges, especially those that settle past amateur defeats, and continues to train diligently to ensure he remains competitive at the elite level.