Chris Billam-Smith, the former WBO cruiserweight titleholder, has publicly declared his certainty that a future confrontation with Jai Opetaia is inevitable. This sentiment comes in the wake of Billam-Smith signing a multi-fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing, a move that appears to have crystallized his career objectives.
Billam-Smith views the deal with Zuffa, and specifically the prospect of facing Opetaia, as a primary motivator for his promotional switch. The former champion intends to challenge Opetaia, widely acknowledged as the division's preeminent figure, asserting that this bout represents the clearest path back to the pinnacle of the sport. This urgency is underscored by the multi-fight contract, which Billam-Smith suggests could frame the remainder of his career.
The boxer is slated to return to the ring on June 6, facing Ryan Rozicki in his hometown of Bournemouth. Billam-Smith anticipates that a victory in this upcoming bout will directly position him for a showdown with Opetaia. He expressed confidence that the fight "is going to happen at some point."
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Opetaia himself has recently signed with Zuffa, a development that places both fighters under the same promotional banner. This alignment is seen as a significant facilitator for the anticipated match. Opetaia, an undefeated Australian with a formidable record, previously held the IBF world title and was recently declared the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion after defeating Brandon Glanton. Notably, Billam-Smith also defeated Glanton in his last outing a year prior.
Despite previous disagreements and what Billam-Smith described as timing issues preventing an earlier encounter, the desire for the fight remains. He pushed back against suggestions from Opetaia that he had previously avoided the matchup, citing circumstances that stalled prior negotiations. Billam-Smith has been out of the ring for approximately a year, a period during which he became a father for the second time.
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Billam-Smith's career trajectory has included significant wins, such as dethroning Lawrence Okolie for a world title, and a notable loss to Gilberto Ramirez, a fight he indicated provided valuable lessons. The fighter's strategy now involves re-engaging with competition, believing that returning to action will clarify his standing before pursuing major confrontations like the one with Opetaia.
Beyond Opetaia, other potential opponents mentioned in relation to Billam-Smith include Viddal Riley, who recently secured the European title. However, the focus remains squarely on the contest with Opetaia, a fight Billam-Smith considers to be among his most desired matchups for the next "one to two years."
