IBF World cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia today (July 25) launched a scathing attack on WBO titlist Chris Billam-Smith.
Opetaia was a guest on DAZNโs coverage of the Justis Huni-Troy Pilcher fight card from Fortitude Valley in Australia. The spiky 29-year-old was asked how bad he wanted the unification fight against the Brit.
โIโm ready for that fight,โ he replied.
โTheyโve been going over saying theyโre waiting for negotiations and s**t, itโs f**k**g bu*****t. He donโt want that fight. Itโs easy done. Heโd get the biggest paycheque heโs ever had, heโll be on the biggest stage heโs ever been on. Itโs a no-brainer to take but the only reason they wouldnโt take it if theyโre ducking.
โThe offerโs there, weโve made the offer. If heโs not taking it, heโs ducking the fight.โ
Opetaia won the IBF strap for a second time after defeating Mairis Briedis once again in May. The victory came two years after the Aussie upset the odds to beat the former cruiserweight king on points.
Last month Billam-Smith avenged his only career loss to Richard Riakporhe by beating the Londoner on points at Selhurst Park. The win was the second defence of the belt he won from Lawrence Okolie in May 2023. The 33-year-old โGentlemanโ is on record saying he wants to unify the division and become undisputed champion but to do that heโll have to go through Opetaia who is regarded as the number one at 200lbs.