Chris Billam-Smith is actively strategizing his next steps in the cruiserweight boxing division, while simultaneously keeping a keen eye on potential high-profile matchups that could arise. After losing his WBO championship title last year to Gilberto Ramirez in a fight that left no room for debate regarding the outcome, Billam-Smith took some time to regroup and returned to the ring with a solid victory against Brandon Glanton. This win marked a shift in his focus from rebuilding his career to positioning himself for significant fights.
Billam-Smith’s eyes are firmly set on capturing more cruiserweight titles, a category where he has established his presence. However, it's noteworthy that not all of the noteworthy competitors reside within the 200-pound weight class. One heavyweight name that frequently surfaces in discussions about his future is Deontay Wilder.
Billam-Smith does not view this potential fight as a complete transition to the heavyweight division, but rather as an exciting opportunity. He has candidly expressed that moving up to heavyweight is not aligned with his fighting style, yet he still expresses a strong desire to face Wilder. "I don’t think my style suits heavyweight," he shared on the Toe2Toe podcast. "But I’d love that fight."
Reflecting on his previous encounters with powerful punchers, Billam-Smith believes that these matchups have often played to his strengths rather than exposing any vulnerabilities. "When I’ve boxed punchers with a big right hand, I’ve done alright," he noted, suggesting that the stylistic dynamics of such fights could work in his favor.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes that this specific mindset does not extend to the heavyweight division as a whole. Billam-Smith identified two scenarios that might compel him to step away from cruiserweight: a rematch with Lawrence Okolie and a showdown with Deontay Wilder. As the only boxer to have defeated Okolie in the professional arena, a rematch would carry significant narrative weight if Okolie were to claim a heavyweight title.
Wilder, despite recent setbacks in his career, remains a formidable name and a risky yet intriguing opponent. Currently, Billam-Smith is concentrating on the cruiserweight scene, where Noel Mikaelian holds the WBC title—a championship he aims to contend for soon, representing a direct pathway back into title contention.
However, the landscape of the cruiserweight division may soon become more complicated. David Benavidez is anticipated to move up from light heavyweight to challenge Ramirez for the WBA and WBO titles. Should this bout occur, it could dramatically alter the hierarchy within the weight class, prompting Billam-Smith to keep a watchful eye.
"We want him to beat Zurdo, and we want to fight him," Billam-Smith stated, reflecting both his and his team's perspective. The reasoning behind this is straightforward; if Benavidez were to emerge victorious over Ramirez, he would not only earn a championship title but also enhance his reputation as the man who defeated the fighter who took Billam-Smith's title, adding an unspoken significance to their potential matchup.
Billam-Smith views the upcoming fight between Benavidez and Ramirez as closely contested. "I make Zurdo the favorite, but it’s close. Very close. Benavidez has the style to beat him. Zurdo is very clever," he assessed, providing candid insight into his thoughts on the matchup.
He did not shy away from expressing admiration for the names involved, emphasizing the allure of high-profile fights, particularly those staged in iconic locations. Las Vegas is still part of his dreams, as he aspires to make his mark there one day. "If I can go to Vegas, even better," he shared. "That dream is still there."
At the pinnacle of his aspirations lies Jai Opetaia, the IBF champion. Billam-Smith has already envisioned a path to reach this title: first, he aims to face Mikaelian, then target Benavidez, and finally, set his sights on Opetaia. This strategic sequence of fights, he believes, will not only yield titles but also provide leverage and control in negotiations moving forward.
"In an ideal world, that would be the route," he outlined. While he acknowledges that the boxing world often does not conform to ideal plans, his direction is clear. He is being deliberate in his choices, well aware that opportunities can be fleeting.
