Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
The Path to Opetaia and the Cruiserweight Landscape
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith has mapped out his trajectory back to world title contention, targeting an inevitable clash with division kingpin Jai Opetaia in 2027.
The Australian southpaw, widely regarded as the cruiserweight division's premier force, is scheduled to defend his standing against Noel Mikaelian on September 12 in Las Vegas on the undercard of Conor Benn against Ryan Garcia. Billam-Smith expects Opetaia to emerge victorious, though he anticipates the challenger will require early rounds to establish control.
"Mikaelian on his day is a good fighter but I pick Jai to beat him," Billam-Smith said. "It might take him a few rounds to set the pace... but I feel like he's slowed down a little bit and gone a little bit past it now."
November Return in London or Bournemouth
Billam-Smith (21-2) plans his own ring return around November, eyeing dates in either London or his hometown of Bournemouth. After surrendering his WBO belt to Gilberto Ramirez in late 2024, the 36-year-old rebounded with a win over Brandon Glanton and a grueling, high-impact victory against Ryan Rozicki in June.
With reigning division champions occupied—including David Benavidez expected to compete in December in Las Vegas—Billam-Smith requires an interim test before pursuing title unifications.
Potential Domestic Revenge Bout Against Cheavon Clarke
Among the candidates for Billam-Smith's next outing is domestic contender Cheavon Clarke, who produced a dramatic stoppage over Jack Massey on the Billam-Smith vs. Rozicki undercard. Clarke holds two amateur victories over Billam-Smith, both occurring in elite championship finals.
"He's got two wins over me so from a competitor's point of view I'd very much like to get one back," Billam-Smith noted. "Both of those have beaten me in an ABA final. That would put that to bed."
Billam-Smith remains resolute that his physical structure and work rate remain sharp enough to dismantle elite cruiserweights once the pathway clears for 2027.
The grey nylon under the neutral corner had faded to the shade of wet slate.