Chris Billam-Smith Next Fight: Cruiserweight log-jam sends ‘CBS’ down interim route

Chris Billam-Smith has his eye on returning to the top of the mountain. ‘CBS’ lost his WBA cruiserweight title to WBA kingpin Gilberto Ramirez in a unification thriller last winter. A victory in his comeback fight has Billam-Smith well-placed for another assault on world title belts.

So what next for the Bournemouth boy? Read on to find out the runners and riders for Chris Billam-Smith’s next fight.

'The Gentleman’ has set the table for two possible paths when it comes to his next desired fight. One is a redemption mission. The other is a chance to capture another of the division’s top titles. First, let’s take a look at Billam-Smith’s efforts to reclaim what was lost.

Zurdo Ramirez beat the Brit in 12 scintillating rounds. The scores were clear but competitive, with two marks of 116-112 in the victor’s favour and one a point closer at 116-113. It was an intense and punishing bout, leaving Billam-Smith bloodied. But he was unbowed. It was a herculean effort against a teak-tough fellow champion.

It is a fight Billam-Smith wants to run back. But in the wake of his points win over highly-ranked contender Brandon Glanton, the 35-year-old told The Ring, “From what I hear, Zurdo and (IBF champion Jai) Opetaia will fight each other if they both come through their next fights, which I expect them to do."

The proposed Zurdo-Opetaia fight is yet to be made and at one stage a surprise foe looked more likely to oppose the latter. The Australian was offered a bout with British heavyweight contender Derek Chisora according to numerous reports. But the IBF kingpin moved quickly to re-assert his plans.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Opetaia said, “I’m chasing undisputed. I’ve got time under my belt. I’m only 30 years old. I want to become undisputed cruiserweight champion, and once that’s done I want to move up to heavy, or – whoever’s next, that’s who’s next. But, at the moment, undisputed is what I’m aiming for.”

With Ramirez out until 2026, after dislocating his shoulder in his June win over Yuniel Dorticos, Opetaia is expected to meet his mandatory challenger this winter. Germany’s Huseyin Cinkara sits pretty at number one in the IBF rankings, with Billam-Smith third-placed. Number two is vacant for reasons known only to the IBF, an organisation so meticulous and professional that they stripped Opetaia of their cruiserweight title once for not fighting an injured mandatory challenger in Mairis Briedis.

But there is a path into title contention for Billam-Smith. The governing bodies rarely miss a chance to secure an extra sanctioning fee and the WBO are no different. The alphabet organisation are using Ramirez’s injury as just cause to order an interim title fight between the Brit and their number-two cruiser, Roman Fress.

With WBC champion Badou Jack, another name-check from Chris’ post-Glanton interview, facing Noel Mikaelian later this year, the WBO interim route looks appealing. Winning the fight against 23-1 Fress would, in theory, make ‘CBS’ mandatory for a rematch with ‘Zurdo’. Of course, Ramirez could choose to vacate his title to face Opetaia. But even then, Billam-Smith would be promoted to full champion.

What else is there for ‘CBS’ if the belt-holders are indisposed? Penge’s Aloys Junior is a big-puncher but rudimentary enough that Billam-Smith could out-box him and carries high rankings with the sanctioning bodies. Viddal Riley is another Brit with an almighty whack who would welcome the step-up in class that an ex-world champ offers. 

While Billam-Smith would rightly open as the favourite against either, it does feel a little too soon for him to be the gatekeeper to tomorrow’s stars. A trilogy fight with Richard Riakporhe, the only man beyond Zurdo to have beaten him, offers an easy sell. But Billam-Smith’s old rival made his heavyweight bow last time out and looks set to stay there.

Of course, there is a floppy-haired apparition casting a ghostly pall of irritation over cruiserweight boxing. Yes, ‘The Problem Child’ Jake Paul calls 200lbs home. Because it is the year of 2025 and this is just what boxing is now, the pensioner-bashing reprobate is ranked 14th by the WBA. 

Fighting Paul brings riches, an audience and the most punchable face in the sport with legal license to drive your Everlasts into it as many times as you want. But it does not bring respect, integrity, relevance or enhancement of legacy. Beating Paul opened doors for the one man to do it; Tommy Fury. But they led to a fight with KSI and a big-fish, small-pond relationship with Misfits Boxing.

Fress makes the most sense. The German is in-form but not fearsome. With 13 knockouts from 24 victories and a loss to former ‘CBS’ stoppage victim Armend Xhoxhaj on his record, Billam-Smith would be a clear favourite. It remains to be seen if the WBO interim strap is worth the leather its mounted on. After all, holding the heavyweight version has brought Joseph Parker no closer to a shot at Oleksandr Usyk. But it’s a start. Anything is better than Jake Paul.

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