Chris Billam-Smith is hoping that patience will pay off as he prepares to face Cheavon Clarke this Saturday at London’s Copper Box, offering him a chance to settle a decade-old score. The two British fighters previously met in the 2016 National Championships final, where Clarke won on points.
Billam-Smith revealed to BBC Sport that while he wasn’t actively seeking a rematch, the opportunity feels like a bonus and a way to prove himself to his younger self. Clarke, now 35, enjoyed a notable amateur career, including competing in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, whereas Billam-Smith found his stride after turning professional in 2017, capturing British and European titles before becoming the cruiserweight world champion in 2023.
Reflecting on his journey, Billam-Smith emphasized that success is defined not by where you begin but by how you finish, and he aims to showcase the growth he has made over the last ten years during this fight.
Despite enjoying an 18-month reign as WBO cruiserweight world champion and holding a record of 20 wins and 2 losses, Billam-Smith lost his unified title bid to WBA ‘super’ champion Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024. Since then, he bounced back with a victory over Brandon Glanton in April 2025 and recently signed with Zuffa Boxing, where he quickly impressed by stopping Ryan Rozicki in June.
A key reason behind Billam-Smith’s move to Zuffa Boxing was the potential to face WBA ‘regular’ champion Jai Opetaia, who also joined the promotion earlier this year. Opetaia has long been a target for Billam-Smith, but that fight now seems less likely, as Opetaia is moving up to heavyweight to take on Deontay Wilder on the undercard of the Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua matchup in December.
Billam-Smith acknowledged the challenges of boxing politics and timing, saying that while the matchup makes sense because they are under the same promotion, there is no guarantee it will happen. He remains pragmatic, indicating that if the Opetaia fight doesn’t come together, he will continue to pursue his career independently. He also expressed skepticism about Opetaia’s chances against David Benavidez, suggesting that such a loss could end prospects for a future clash between the two fighters.
Fan Take: This upcoming fight is significant as it not only offers Billam-Smith a shot at personal redemption but also highlights the evolving cruiserweight scene with emerging stars vying for dominance. For fight enthusiasts, Billam-Smith’s path and potential showdown with Opetaia could redefine the division and inject fresh excitement into boxing’s highly competitive landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
