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Add FightsATW on GoogleWho is next for Chris Billam-Smith, and why is it Jai Opetaia?
That is the talking point after Billam-Smith‘s seventh-round knockout of Ryan Rozicki in a cruiserweight bout on Saturday, which took place at the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England.
Billam-Smith, 22-2 (14 KOs), is one of the better cruiserweights of his era, and he furthered that sentiment on Saturday night.
We could do what we’ve traditionally done and give you a list of five potential fights, but honestly, why bother? Zuffa Boxing has invested in the cruiserweight division, as one of their best fighters signed to the entity is Oeptaia. He emerged in the summer of 2022, defeating Mairis Briedis, the heir apparent to the division after Oleksandr Usyk moved up to heavyweight.
Opetaia’s run since then has seen a rematch with Briedis as his most high-profile foe. Opetaia, who is getting rave reviews for his training in Las Vegas, has done what many high-risk, low-reward fighters do; he is fighting mandatories and those willing to face him. Opetaia is active, but his debut with Zuffa Boxing wasn’t stellar. He won a unanimous decision over Brandon Glanton, a tough veteran, but someone he was favored to beat.
The performance didn’t look much different from what Billam-Smith did against Glanton, and Billam-Smith didn’t receive nearly as much attention for his fight (which, in all honesty, was riskier at the time).
If Opetaia can’t land a fight with David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol, or Artur Beterbiev, who else would it be? Of those three, only Benavidez has fought at cruiserweight. The confines of Zuffa Boxing could also create a divide, as some fighters might opt for a traditional path, as detractors of Zuffa fear it will be a corporate UFC-like model brought into pro boxing.
Billam-Smith is under the Zuffa banner. Outside of Briedis, he is also the most accomplished fighter that Opetaia would have faced. Billam-Smith avenged a career loss to Richard Riakporhe, the first man to beat Lawrence Okolie, and won a career crossroads bout against Glanton. Billam-Smith also satisfies another need, an action fighter with a new boxing entity looking to form its identity.
Billam-Smith, for better or worse, will fight. If Opetaia is going to the next level, he needs to be in action fights that connect with fans and create moments of magic for the highlight reel. Quite frankly, coming out of the Glanton bout, those moments were few and far between. Billam-Smith is the most logical next opponent in every sense, whether it is the politics of the sport, the place they are both at in their careers, or even from a stylistic standpoint. It seems like a no-brainer to take place in the fall.
Now, Billam-Smith is coming off the best fight in Zuffa Boxing history, and a “Fight of the Year” contender. There is no need to make a list; Billam-Smith is the next fight for Opetaia.
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