THE dream of becoming a two-time world champion remains firmly on Chris Billam-Smith’s radar ahead of his intriguing showdown with outspoken cruiserweight contender Brandon Glanton.
Despite coming off a punishing defeat to unified titlist Gilberto Ramirez last November, ‘The Gentleman’ has since been awarded a lofty fourth-place ranking by the WBC.
As a result, Billam-Smith, 20-2 (13 KOs), has seemingly put himself in the shop window to face three-division champion Badou Jack for the green and gold strap.
Jack, meanwhile, initiated a two-year hiatus from the sport after claiming his belt with a 12th-round stoppage victory over Ilunga Makabu back in 2023.
Having served a prolonged spell as the WBC ‘champion in recess,’ though, the 41-year-old has now been reinstated as the sanctioning body’s full title holder.
In his next outing, Jack is expected to make a mandatory title defence against Ryan Rozicki while Billam-Smith, on the other hand, gears up for his return against Glanton.
The pair will square off on April 26, featuring on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
Not only will this be the third stadium fight of Billam-Smith’s career but it also represents an opportunity for him to rejoin the world level scene at 200lbs.
Sure enough, his long-term trainer, Shane McGuigan, believes that a victory could catapult the 34-year-old closer towards another shot at world honours.
“It’s a hard fight [against Glanton],” McGuigan told Boxing News. “You’re going to have an American guy come over and chat a load of s***.
“Logistically for us, it was just about getting [Billam-Smith] out again. We know that he can’t fight Badou Jack for the WBC title without a win.
“We’re very confident [in securing the WBC title fight]. Whether Badou Jack wants to box again, I’m not too sure if he does. And if he does, I’m not sure he’d want that fight [with Billam-Smith]. But maybe he’ll be licking his lips after the Ramirez fight.”
