CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH insists that, aside from cruiserweight world champions Jai Opetaia and Gilberto Ramirez, he remains the next best option for WBC titlist Badou Jack.
‘The Gentleman’ will return to action against American contender Brandon Glanton on April 26, featuring on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn.
Not just that, but with their fight taking place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, it also represents the 34-year-old’s third outing at a Premier League football ground.
In what proved to be a career-defining moment, Billam-Smith, 20-2 (13 KOs), dethroned Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium, home to his beloved AFC Bournemouth, back in 2023.
Just over a year later, he then defended his WBO strap at Selhurst Park, claiming a unanimous decision victory to exact revenge on domestic rival Richard Riakporhe.
But now, Billam-Smith is laser focused on returning to the win column following his punishing defeat to unified champion Ramirez last November.
Should he get past Glanton, though, the Brit would then most likely turn his attention towards a possible matchup against multi-division titlist Jack, 28-3-3 (17 KOs).
‘The Ripper’ was recently reinstated as the WBC’s full champion now that his hiatus, lasting more than two years, has seemingly come to an end.
After dethroning Ilunga Makabu back in 2023, Jack is set to make the first defence of his green and gold belt against mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki.
But still, the WBC situation at 200lbs remains far from straight forward, with Noel Mikaelyan having been placed as ‘champion in recess’ due to a promotional dispute.
What is more, a clash between Yamil Peralta and Michael Cieslak has been ordered for the sanctioning body’s interim title, though a date is yet to be confirmed.
But while Jack appears to have a string of potential opponents to face, Billam-Smith, who is ranked fourth by the WBC, is nonetheless itching to become a two-time world champion.
“I don’t know what fight [Jack’s] chasing if he doesn’t see me as a big fight,” Billam-Smith told Boxing News.
“If he’s not unifying, I’d probably say that I’m the next biggest name in the [cruiserweight] division.
“Obviously I’ve got to get back to winning ways. Right now, I don’t make sense for him [as an opponent].
“But after April 26, I’ll be ready to fight whoever and hopefully become a world champion again.”
Last week, Boxing News spoke with Jack, who claimed that he will only take on Billam-Smith if it makes sense financially.
When speaking with Ben Shalom, meanwhile, the Boxxer promoter insisted that it is the fight to make next.
