Chris Billam-Smith: “I Want To Be No. 1 At Cruiserweight”

Former WBO champion returns June 6 in Bournemouth against heavy-handed cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki

Chris Billam-Smith returns June 6 in Bournemouth against Ryan Rozicki while already targeting a future fight with Jai Opetaia. Rozicki’s aggressive style and punching power make the matchup a dangerous cruiserweight test.

“I want to prove I’m the best cruiserweight in the world and keep improving,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports. “That’s what I want to be seen as and known as. The No. 1 in the world. I don’t do that without beating Opetaia, so that’s the aim.”

The fight also carries importance for Zuffa Boxing as the promotion attempts to establish itself in the UK market. Billam-Smith is one of the better-known British names at cruiserweight, and a strong performance in front of his hometown crowd could position him as one of the faces of the company’s expansion plans.

Trainer Shane McGuigan believes there are openings in Opetaia’s style despite his dominance at cruiserweight. McGuigan pointed to the Australian being hurt against David Nyika before eventually scoring a knockout win.

“There are vulnerabilities there with Jai Opetaia,” McGuigan said. “He’s not fought somebody like Chris.”

McGuigan believes Billam-Smith’s pressure, physical strength, and work rate could create a different kind of fight than the one Opetaia faced against Nyika or Mairis Briedis. Billam-Smith has often relied on volume punching and sustained pressure rather than single-shot power, especially in difficult fights.

The Bournemouth crowd could also play a role. Billam-Smith has previously produced some of his biggest performances there, including his win over Lawrence Okolie, where the home support helped swing the atmosphere heavily in his favor.

Even with that advantage, Billam-Smith still enters the fight chasing the division leader. Opetaia is widely viewed as the top cruiserweight in the world, leaving Billam-Smith needing both a win over Rozicki and a future victory over the Australian to fully back up his claim.

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