Chris Billam-Smith has made it clear that he hopes to line up a bout with Australian cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia next year, provided both fighters emerge victorious from their respective upcoming contests. The former world champion has long set his sights on Opetaa, who is widely regarded as the premier cruiserweight in the division today. 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 return to the ring before the calendar flips to 2024 and then intends to resume his pursuit of the Australian champion.
He believes the ultimate showdown will materialise 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.
"Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him." The British boxer also offered his assessment of Mikaelian's recent form. "He might need a few rounds to find his rhythm, and while he has some respectable names on his record and has delivered solid performances, I feel he's starting to lose a step and may be past his peak," Billam‑Smith explained. When asked about the timing and location of his own comeback, Billam‑Smith hinted at a November appearance, possibly in London or Bournemouth, though he could not yet confirm the exact venue.
"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 added. In the meantime, other fighters are making noise on Billam‑Smith's undercard. Cheavon Clarke impressed with a knockout comeback win over Jack Massey on the undercard of Billam‑Smith's recent clash with Ryan Rozicki. "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," Billam‑Smith said during a Sky Sports interview at a screening of the new boxing drama Fightland. He also praised the Clarke‑Massey bout, calling it a "superb fight" that was likely to earn fight‑of‑the‑night honours had his own contest not taken the spotlight. Both Clarke and Massey have a history with Billam‑Smith from their amateur days, each having defeated the Bournemouth native in elite championship finals. Billam‑Smith expressed a personal 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. "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 only fight of the previous year. However, his June encounter with Rozicki demonstrated that the 36‑year‑old 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.
"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 remains focused on sharpening his skills and staying active, aware that the heavyweight landscape can shift quickly.
He acknowledges the fluid nature of modern boxing promotions, noting that organizations like Zuffa frequently sign new talent, which could open unexpected opportunities or present fresh challenges. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already filling up with marquee events, and fans can follow the action through streaming services such as NOW, which offers contract‑free access to live bouts and related content. Additionally, the Toe2Toe podcast provides weekly analysis and insider commentary for enthusiasts who want deeper insight into upcoming fights and fighter preparations.
As the anticipation builds for a potential Billam‑Smith versus Opetaia encounter, both camps are expected to monitor each other's progress closely. Opetaia's performance against Mikaelian will be a key indicator of his readiness, while Billam‑Smith's next fight will serve as a litmus test for his ambition to reclaim world‑title contention.
If all goes according to plan, the two may finally meet in the ring in 2027, delivering a clash that many consider one of the most compelling match‑ups in the cruiserweight division. Fans are encouraged to watch the upcoming events using a Chrome browser for optimal video playback, as recommended by the broadcasters. The upcoming Fightland series, set to premiere on Sky and NOW on August 27, will also feature behind‑the‑scenes footage and interviews that shed light on the fighters' mindsets and training regimens, providing further context for the anticipated showdown between Billam‑Smith and Opetaia.