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 showdown in Las Vegas on September 12. Billam‑Smith, meanwhile, expects to step back into the ring before the year ends, after which he plans to renew his pursuit of the Australian contender. "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," Billam‑Smith told Sky Sports.
"Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him." The British fighter believes the Opetaia encounter will materialise in 2027, giving both men time to solidify their positions and build momentum. He added that while Mikaelian has a respectable résumé, he feels the Australian is starting to lose a step and may be past his peak.
Billam‑Smith hinted that his own comeback could come around November, most likely in a venue such as London or Bournemouth, though he declined to name a specific opponent. "The champions seem a bit tied up, I think David Benavidez is lining up a fight for December as well in Vegas, I believe," he noted, suggesting that the heavyweight landscape is in flux and could open doors for new match‑ups.
In the meantime, the undercard of Billam‑Smith's recent clash with Ryan Rozicki featured a standout performance from Cheavon Clarke, who knocked out Jack Massey. Clarke, a former amateur rival of Billam‑Smith, earned praise from the British fighter, who said, "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 also recalled the intense ABA finals where both Clarke and Massey had bested him, adding, "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." Billam‑Smith remains open to any challenger, noting the fluid nature of promotional contracts: "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." Reflecting on his recent career trajectory, Billam‑Smith recalled losing his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024 and then defeating Brandon Glanton in his sole bout of the following year. However, his June clash with Rozicki demonstrated that, at 36, he can still compete at the highest level.
"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 said.
"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." Looking ahead, Billam‑Smith envisions a strategic path: secure a win in his next fight, assess the outcome of Opetaia versus Mikaelian, and then set the stage for a headline‑grabbing showdown in 2027. He believes that the timing will allow both fighters to be at their peak, creating a compelling narrative for fans and promoters alike.
Beyond the immediate fight schedule, Billam‑Smith highlighted the broader boxing calendar for 2026, noting that major events are being streamed contract‑free on platforms like NOW, and that fans can stay updated through weekly podcasts such as Toe2Toe. He also mentioned that the upcoming drama series "Fightland" will debut on Sky and NOW on August 27, offering viewers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the sport. In summary, Chris Billam‑Smith is charting a clear course toward a potential 2027 clash with Jai Opetaia. By staying active, refining his skills, and keeping an eye on the evolving heavyweight scene, he aims to position himself for one of the most anticipated match‑ups in cruiserweight boxing.
The journey will involve a November comeback, possible fights in London or Bournemouth, and a vigilant watch on Opetaia's performance against Mikaelian. If all goes according to plan, boxing enthusiasts can look forward to a high‑stakes encounter that could redefine the cruiserweight hierarchy in the years to come.