Chris Billam-Smith has never been a fighter who looks for an easy night. On November 7 at London’s Copper Box Arena, the 35-year-old from Bournemouth, 22-2 (14 KOs), headlines Zuffa Boxing 12 against Cheavon Clarke. Win it, and the cruiserweight division’s biggest names are waiting.
In an exclusive interview with Irish Boxing Digest, “The Gentleman” talked about the Clarke fight, life under the Zuffa banner and what could come next.
A Rivalry Ten Years in the Making
This fight has history. Billam-Smith lost to Clarke in the national amateur final in May 2016. It was a result that was hard to shake off. He turned professional in 2017, while Clarke went on to represent Great Britain and medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Billam-Smith says that history is useful, not just personal. “I’ve also sparred him a fair bit as pros,” he told us. “Not for a few years now but there are always traits that people have which I can use and be wary of.”
He respects what Clarke brings. “Chev has speed, durability, a great engine,” he said. But he is confident in his own tools: “I have good timing and I can finish someone when they are hurt.” That is a fair summary as he has proven it in the ring.
BECOMING WORLD CHAMPION
Billam-Smith’s career has been built on taking fights others avoided. In 2019, when nobody wanted to face the dangerous Richard Riakporhe, he did. He lost a debatable ten-round decision, but the performance showed he belonged among the best.
His response showed the early signs of what he would display on the world stage. In his very next fight he stopped Chris Glover in Liverpool, Glover’s hometown, to win the vacant Commonwealth title. Several defences followed, and then the European belt: he beat Tommy McCarthy in a close twelve-round decision for the title, then put any argument to bed with a knockout in the 2022 rematch.
Then on May 27, 2023, Billam Smith reached the pinacle of the sport, in front of his beloved Bournemouth fans at the Vitality Stadium, he dethroned the avoided Lawrence Okolie to become WBO world champion. He then had defences against Riakporhe and the experienced Pole, Mateusz Masternak. In 2024 he lost the belt on points to Gilberto Ramirez in a unification fight in Saudi Arabia, but he did so in a unification bout, on the road, against a top opponent. That is the pattern of his career, tough fight after tough fight.
A New Chapter With Zuffa
In 2026 Billam-Smith signed with Zuffa Boxing, and he is clearly happy with the move. “Very impressed,” he said. “I have spoke with Dana and Nick Khan more sincerely and in depth than I have spoke with any previous promoter. Dana is a combat sports nut and then an extremely competent businessman.”
What he likes most is the product. “The shows they put on are always evenly matched and entertaining.”
His debut for the promotion in June was a fight of the year contender: a stoppage win over Ryan Rozicki that fans compared to a Rocky movie. Billam-Smith has been in a few wars like that, but says he came out of this one better than most. “I came out of that one more unscathed than I have for most of my fights. I’m proud to please the fans and grateful for them turning out and putting on an atmosphere worthy of the fight and vice versa.”
What a Win Could Open Up
The cruiserweight division is at a fascinating point, with more than one star name claiming to be the top dog. Jai Opetaia of Australia is widely regarded as the number one cruiserweight in the world and David Benavidez, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, has moved up to the weight and beat Gilberto Ramirez, the man who took Billam-Smith’s title.
Billam-Smith is realistic about where he stands. Is Opetaia the man he wants next? “I’m too long in the tooth and too realistic to say it has to be this or that person next,” he said. “I hear he has an opponent lined up before fighting Benavidez. But if none of that happens then yeah for sure.”
That is the right attitude from a fighter who has built a career on being ready, and the sort of reply that suggests he will take what the division offers. But a fight with Opetaia, Benavidez or even whispers of Deontay Wilder all hinges on one night: November 7.
The Bottom Line
Billam-Smith knows what is in front of him. Clarke is dangerous, fast and durable, and a ten-year-old amateur score is waiting to be settled. But everything about his career suggests he will not be rattled. He has fought the best available opponent at every stage, won a world title and took on all comers.
If he gets past Clarke at the Copper Box, the biggest nights of his career could still be ahead of him.
Zuffa Boxing 12 takes place on Saturday, November 7, at the Copper Box Arena in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Irish Boxing Digest will be at ringside in London.
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