Chris Billam-Smith has signaled that a bout with Australian cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia could materialise next year, provided both fighters emerge victorious from their scheduled contests. The former world champion has long set his sights on Opetaia, who is widely regarded as the premier cruiserweight talent on the global stage. 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, meanwhile, expects to step back into the ring before the calendar flips to a new year, after which he plans to re‑ignite his pursuit of a clash with Opetaia.
In his view, the ultimate showdown is likely to take place in 2027. "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. He added confidence in his own abilities, noting, "Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him." When asked about Opetaia’s chances, Billam‑Smith explained, "But 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 British boxer believes Opetaia’s speed and power give him the edge, even if Mikaelian can make the fight competitive in the early stages. Looking ahead to his own comeback, Billam‑Smith hinted at a November return, most likely on home soil.
"Looking most probably around November time. I think it will be London or Bournemouth. Don't know who yet," he said, adding that the heavyweight landscape is currently congested. He noted that fellow cruiserweight David Benavidez is also expected to fight in December in Las Vegas, which could affect scheduling for other top contenders.
The undercard of Billam‑Smith’s recent clash with Ryan Rozicki featured a memorable knockout from Cheavon Clarke, who overcame Jack Massey. Billam‑Smith praised Clarke’s performance, saying, "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 reflected on his own amateur history with both Clarke and Massey, recalling that each had bested him in ABA finals.
"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 explained, indicating a desire for redemption against his former rivals.
He remained open to any opponent, noting the fluid nature of the sport: "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 record includes a loss of his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024, followed by a victory over Brandon Glanton in his sole fight of the previous year.
His June encounter 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 reflected. He stressed the importance of staying sharp and continuously improving: "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." This mindset, he believes, will keep him in contention for a future bout with Opetaia and possibly other marquee fights. Beyond the immediate fight plans, Billam‑Smith highlighted the broader boxing calendar for 2026, noting that several major events are already pencilled in.
He encouraged fans to stream fights via NOW for a contract‑free experience and to tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for in‑depth analysis. He also pointed viewers toward the best boxing highlights and videos available online. In addition, the upcoming drama series "Fightland," which dramatizes the sport’s behind‑the‑scenes drama, will debut on Sky and NOW on August 27. Billam‑Smith appeared at a screening of the series, discussing his career and future aspirations, further cementing his status as a prominent voice in the cruiserweight division.
Overall, Billam‑Smith’s roadmap points toward a November return, a potential clash with the winner of Opetaia’s undercard fight, and an eventual headline bout with Jai Opetaia, likely scheduled for 2027. His determination to settle past amateur defeats, stay competitive, and adapt his training regimen underscores his ambition to reclaim a top‑tier position in the cruiserweight ranks.