Billam-Smith targets Opetaia after signing with Zuffa

Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith has his eye on a fight with Jai Opetaia after signing a multi-fight deal with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing promotional company.

'The Gentleman', 35, has a record of 21 wins and two losses and held the British, Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles before winning the WBO world title almost three years ago.

Australian Opetaia signed with Zuffa in January of this year and is unbeaten in 30 fights, having previously held the IBF world title.

Billam-Smith revealed this potential fight was a big reason in him making the promotional switch.

"I've had an amazing career so far and I'm very grateful to be in the position that I am," he told BBC Sport.

"I've won many belts but people haven't seen me as number one in the division, and I know that I can get to that and be seen as that.

"Jai Opetaia is seen as the number one and this all culminates in that fight for me, that was a huge thing for me - if I went through my career and never boxed Jai Opetaia then I would have felt that there was stuff left on the table.

"I want to be the one to beat him, I don't want to fight him when he's been beat, I want to be that person, it was the same with Lawrence (Okolie) and it was the same with Richard Riakporhe."

Billam-Smith knocked down Okolie numerous times on the way to claiming victory on a memorable night at AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium in May 2023.

After winning the world belt in his home town, Billam-Smith defended it twice with victories over Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth and Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Billam-Smith suffered a second professional loss in late 2024 when he attempted to unify the WBA and WBO belts against Mexican Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia, where Ramirez took a comfortable victory on points.

Since that loss, Billam-Smith's only fight was a win over American Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a year ago.

"For me I think this move shows what I'm about, I'm chasing the big fights," he added.

"The biggest fight for me is Jai and if I can beat him then I can go on to avenge the only loss that I haven't avenged on my record (Zurdo Ramirez), that's the long-term plan.

"This is a big move for me and it's one that I'm really excited about."

Billam-Smith is trained by Shane McGuigan who has been in his corner since his debut in 2017.

Prior to signing his new deal, the Bournemouth man was promoted by Ben Shalom's Boxxer, who delivered the first of four hometown fights for him when he beat Isaac Chamberlain at the Bournemouth International Centre in 2022.

"I'm so gratful to Boxxer for first putting the Chamberlain fight on because that changed my career," Billam-Smith said.

"They gave me the opportunities and I took them and that's all you can ask for; my story will be forever intertwined with them and the shows down in Bournemouth.

"Looking forward I hope to be out twice this year with one of those coming in a couple of months, I'm really excited for this next chapter and to be part of this new venture."