REVENGE for Noel Mikaelian, rather than a repeat of proceedings for Badou Jack, is more likely to see Chris Billam-Smith secure his WBC world title shot, says trainer Shane McGuigan.
Jack, 29-3-3 (17 KOs), retained his green and gold strap last month, edging a highly-contentious majority decision to squeak past Noel Mikaelian in a largely uneventful 12-round affair.
Shortly after the 41-year-old’s victory, though, it emerged that Mikaelian’s promoter, Don King, had filed an official appeal to the WBC.
In response, the sanctioning body ordered an immediate rematch between the pair, allowing both parties just under a month to negotiate terms before a purse bid hearing is called on July 1.
All the while, Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), has occupied a fourth-place ranking with the WBC, patiently waiting for his opportunity to become a two-time world champion.
The 34-year-old lost his WBO strap to Gilberto Ramirez, the now unified cruiserweight champion, last November, encountering torrid spells of adversity while, in equal measure, displaying his tremendous resolve to hear the final bell.
Following that unanimous decision defeat, Billam-Smith then produced a more measured performance to outpoint American contender Brandon Glanton in April.
But now, it is fair to say that ‘The Gentleman’ has his sights firmly set on the world scene at 200lbs, particularly a potential clash with the winner of Jack and Mikaelian’s expected rematch.
And while their second encounter is yet to be confirmed, a win for Mikaelian would – from the perspective of Team Billam-Smith, at least – represent the most desirable outcome.
“It’ll be interesting to see how quickly that [rematch] gets turned around,” the Bournemouth man’s head coach, McGuigan, told Boxing News.
“From what I’ve heard, most people had Mikaelian winning. So if [Jack’s] getting a bit older, and another training camp takes the edge off him, Noel will most likely win the return.
“I think it would be better for us if Noel Mikaelian wins, because it’s an easier fight to make.
“I think Badou Jack has his sights on easier touches for the most amount of money, rather than having a hard fight with someone like Chris Billam-Smith.”
