Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of boxing! The future of the cruiserweight division is at stake, and it's about to get heated!
Chris Billam-Smith, a former WBO world champion, is eyeing a potential clash with the legendary Deontay Wilder. But here's the twist: he's willing to step up in weight to make this dream fight happen. And this is where it gets controversial...
Billam-Smith, a Bournemouth native, lost his title in a unification battle against Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez back in 2024. However, he's not one to stay down for long. He returned with a bang, defeating Brandon Glanton, and now he's got his sights set on bigger challenges. While cruiserweight is his primary focus, he's not ruling out a move to a heavier weight class.
"I don't think my style suits heavyweight," he said, but there are exceptions. "The only fights that make sense to me are against Lawrence [Okolie], if he becomes a heavyweight champion, and Deontay Wilder at bridgerweight." And this is the part most people miss: Billam-Smith believes his style could give him an edge against powerful punchers like Wilder.
His immediate goal is a WBC cruiserweight title shot against Noel Mikaelian, the current champion. But there's a potential roadblock: light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez might move up to cruiserweight and challenge "Zurdo" Ramirez. If Benavidez wins, it could change the entire landscape for Billam-Smith.
"We want him to beat 'Zurdo' and then we want to fight him," Billam-Smith stated. He sees this as a chance to prove himself against a fellow former champion. "He's a big name, and if he beats Zurdo, it would be a huge boost for me." But he acknowledges that "Zurdo" is a clever opponent, making the fight a close call.
Billam-Smith's ultimate dream is a showdown with Jai Opetaia, the IBF cruiserweight champion and the man many consider the best in the division. He believes a path involving Benavidez, Mikaelian, and then Opetaia would be ideal, allowing him to build momentum and enter the fight as the favorite. "In an ideal world, that's the route I'd take. But boxing is rarely ideal."
So, what do you think? Is Billam-Smith's strategy a smart move, or is he taking on too much? Let's discuss in the comments! Will he become the cruiserweight king, or will his journey take him to new weight classes?
