Billam-Smith has made it abundantly clear in the lead-up to the event that he has a deeply personal score to settle with Clarke. Their rivalry dates back a decade to the final of the elite amateur championships, where their paths first crossed in a high-pressure environment that ultimately shaped the trajectories of their respective combat sports careers. Now competing as elite professionals, the two cruiserweights are set to headline the Zuffa Boxing 12 event this Saturday night, bringing a decade of simmering competitive friction to a head in the British capital.
During their final face-to-face media appearance, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the fighters addressed each other directly, each forcefully stating their case for why they will emerge victorious on Saturday night. The confrontation highlighted the stark contrast in their demeanors and the lingering competitive animosity born from their amateur days. Clarke eventually relented to the extent of allowing a brief fist bump, but he remained steadfastly unwilling to offer a traditional handshake to the former world champion. The two athletes locked eyes, engaging in a protracted, intense staredown that underscored the genuine rivalry and bad blood driving this matchup.
The roots of this animosity stretch back to 2016, when Clarke defeated Billam-Smith in the amateur championship final. That bout served as a crucial assessment for positions on the prestigious GB Boxing squad. Following the tournament, it was Clarke who successfully progressed to the international team and went on to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games, while Billam-Smith took a different route in his boxing journey.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment in their amateur careers, Clarke has been keen to dispel any notion of unfairness or animosity regarding how the selection played out. Addressing the past ahead of Saturday’s bout, Clarke maintained that everything was decided fairly on the canvas. "I never stole his place. We fought, I won on the day and we both had the opportunity," Clarke stated.
At the same time, Clarke admitted that he always anticipated their paths would cross again once they transitioned into the professional ranks and climbed the rankings. Given the competitive nature of both men and their ascent in the cruiserweight division, a professional collision felt inevitable. "Of course, you’re going to meet at some point if you’re trying to elevate yourself," Clarke said, before adding with an air of finality, "It’s time for us to get it on now."
While Clarke took the amateur victory and the Olympic path, Billam-Smith went on to achieve extraordinary success in the professional ranks, proving his mettle on the global stage. His crowning professional achievement to date came in 2023, when he secured the WBO cruiserweight world title by pulling off a memorable upset victory over Lawrence Okolie.
Paradoxically, Billam-Smith has suggested that his career might never have reached those championship heights if he had not suffered that painful defeat to Clarke a decade ago. Looking back, the loss forced a pivotal change in his career trajectory, leading him to a training partnership that unlocked his true potential. "I probably never would have ended up training with Shane [McGuigan]. Shane is genuinely the only coach out there that would have got the best out of me," Billam-Smith reflected.
As they prepare to step between the ropes at the Copper Box Arena, both fighters bring impressive credentials and recent momentum into the ring. Clarke heads into the contest following a gritty and resilient performance in his previous fight, where he memorably picked himself up after being knocked down to the canvas twice before ultimately stopping Jack Massey. It was a display of heart and punching power that showcased Clarke’s dangerous capabilities, but Billam-Smith remains entirely unimpressed by that vulnerability.
The former world champion is convinced that had he been the one to put Clarke in trouble, he would have capitalized immediately without giving his opponent a chance to recover. "If I had Chev hurt I believe I can get rid of him," Billam-Smith warned. "I believe I can hurt any cruiserweight in the world and I can get rid of any cruiserweight in the world."
In response to the warning, Clarke issued a reminder of his resilience, tenacity, and ability to defy the odds when the pressure is highest. Making it clear that he will not be easily deterred, Clarke fired back: "I’m Cheavon Clarke, you can’t ever count me out."
With old rivalries rekindled, world-class experience on both sides, and a decade of unfinished business waiting to be settled, the stage is fully set for an explosive encounter in the capital.
Watch Billam-Smith vs Clarke on Saturday live on Sky Sports.
