BADOU JACK has played down a potential fight with former WBO cruiserweight king Chris Billam-Smith, instead targeting unification fights with Gilberto Ramirez and Jai Opetaia.
Jack ‘The Ripper’, 28-3-3 (17 KOs), is inactive since he won the coveted WBC cruiserweight world title two years ago against the hard-hitting Ilunga Makabu, but the Swede is set to defend his title for the first time against mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki this year, with the ultimate goal of becoming undisputed champion at 200lbs.
Bournemouth native Billam-Smith, 20-2 (13 KOs), is targeting a fight with ‘The Ripper’, looking to return to world championship glory after he lost his WBO strap in a unification fight with the Mexican Ramirez.
However, speaking to Boxing News, Jack is fully focused on unifying the division, rather than facing a hungry Billam-Smith.
“As of right now, fighting Billam-Smith is not something I’d entertain. I have a mandatory to deal with and a champion in recess (Norair Mikaeljan) I have to fight. I want to fight in the big unification fights, but it’s a fight, if it makes sense why not? But its not a guy I’m looking for, absolutely not.”
If the money is right and he gets a title, then why not? I’m a fighter and I’ll fight anyone,” he added.
Jack has bid to become a unified world champion once before when he collided with Brit James DeGale in an IBF and WBC super-middleweight title fight back in 2017. Both men hit the canvas in a compelling fight which was ruled a majority draw. Nevertheless, Jack ‘The Ripper’ is fixated on unifying with the other two champions in the cruiserweight division.
“I don’t have a preference which of the two champions I want to fight. They’re both similar, Ramirez has got better experience, but Opetaia might be a little younger and fresher. I heard they might fight next; I’d love to fight the winner of that. I would actually like to fight them right now, but I have to fight my mandatory. After that, I can go for the big fights.”
