Chris Billam-Smith may be forced to temporarily set aside his long-held ambition of facing division benchmark Jai Opetaia, opening the door for the Bournemouth fighter to pursue alternative blockbuster options at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
For some time, Billam-Smith has made no secret of his desire to share a ring with Australia’s Opetaia, an elite operator widely regarded as the finest cruiserweight in the sport today. However, logistical realities and the ambitious career trajectory of the Australian are redirecting the landscape of the division. Opetaia is heavily anticipated to make a temporary or permanent excursion into the heavyweight division, where a lucrative matchup against former world champion Deontay Wilder is being discussed to feature on the undercard of a potential Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua event. Following that prospective heavyweight assignment, Opetaia is reportedly eyeing a subsequent clash with the formidable David Benavidez next year.
This busy schedule leaves Billam-Smith in a position where waiting for the Australian star is simply not a viable career strategy. Speaking candidly to Sky Sports, Billam-Smith outlined his understanding of his rival’s upcoming moves.
"From what I gather he’s going to fight Wilder and then Benavidez," Billam-Smith said. "Opetaia’s fighting Wilder, then Benavidez is his plan and I think he gets beat by Benavidez, before I get the chance to box him and beat him myself."
Should that sequence of events unfold as predicted, Billam-Smith admits that a future clash with Benavidez could come onto his radar. Yet, the timeline of such a matchup poses immediate hurdles for an active contender.
"But that’s a year away. I’m not going to wait around for a year," he asserted.
Despite missing out on the immediate pairing, Billam-Smith harbors no bitterness toward Opetaia for prioritizing a high-profile crossover fight against a devastating puncher like Wilder. In fact, the British contender acknowledged that he would seize the exact same opportunity if it were presented to him.
The ambition to test himself against boxing’s biggest names and most lethal punchers remains a driving force in Billam-Smith’s career. His aspirations extend far beyond standard divisional politics, encompassing marquee fights that capture the public imagination regardless of whether a governing body belt is immediately on the line.
"If Opetaia was to pull out of the Wilder fight, I could fight Wilder," the Bournemouth native suggested playfully, highlighting his absolute readiness to step into high-risk scenarios. "We could do it. Who knows what’s next, to be honest? I can’t look beyond Chev too much, there’s that fear factor there."
Elaborating further on his career philosophy during an appearance on the Toe2Toe podcast, Billam-Smith reinforced his commitment to seeking out elite-level challenges.
"I want the biggest fights, the biggest names, not necessarily for belts but if they’re for belts, even better," Billam-Smith explained. "Opetaia hasn’t got one of the four main governing body belts, but that’s a great fight, he’s seen as one of the best. That’s what I want. Wilder, I’ve always said I wanted to fight him."
‘Willing to fight anyone’
The appetite for daunting challenges appears to be a mutual sentiment shared across promotional camps. Dana White, who plays a prominent role in promoting Opetaia, offered high praise for the Australian’s fearless approach to matchmaking, confirming that talks regarding a bout with Wilder are actively progressing.
"Jai Opetaia is more than likely going to be on the undercard. [Wilder] is one that we’ve been talking about and working on," White told Sky Sports.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the proposed heavyweight collision, White emphasized the unique risks Opetaia is willing to embrace in pursuit of greatness.
"The guy’s willing to fight anybody," White said of Opetaia. "It’s a very dangerous fight for him considering where he sits in his division right now. But he’s a fighter; he’ll fight anybody, even at heavyweight with a guy who hits as hard as Wilder does."
While the future pathways for both Opetaia and Wilder continue to take shape in the background, Billam-Smith’s immediate focus remains firmly anchored in the present. Before any discussions of heavyweight excursions or ultimate unification showdowns can materialize, the Bournemouth fighter must navigate a crucial domestic hurdle.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith fight Cheavon Clarke live on Sky Sports on November 7.
