A former cruiserweight world champion has let slip that a mega-fight between two champions is looming.
Chris Billam-Smith is looking to the future after his recent win over Brandon Glanton on the Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn undercard.
Billam-Smith and Glanton shared a heartwarming moment at the end of their fight as both men apologized for any disrespect towards the other in the build-up to their fight.
Now, 21-2, ‘The Gentleman’ is looking to regain his world title, but may have to wait for one mega-fight first.
Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty ImagesChris Billam-Smith says Jai Opetaia vs Zurdo Ramirez will take place at the end of 2025
In an interview with Seconds Out, Billam-Smith was asked about his future and when he will return to the ring.
Billam-Smith won his last outing, but lost to Zurdo Ramirez in the fight before, losing his world title.
This was the second loss of Billam-Smith’s career, with the only other coming against Richard Riakporhe, who Billam-Smith later beat.
He said, “I think the champions are all tied up by the looks of things. From what I hear, Opetaia and Zurdo are looking towards the end of the year, but I’m gonna be ready, you never know, one of them might pull out and they might need a replacement.”
Jai Opetaia has been long-requesting a unification fight with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, and it seems he may finally get the chance to unify this year.
Fans have been critical of Opetaia’s lackluster opposition, which he has chosen as a result of his fellow world champions refusing to fight him.
Opetaia vs Zurdo would be huge for the cruiserweight division, and would leave the winner just one fight away from being undisputed, with Badou Jack being the WBC champion.
Gilberto Ramirez vs Jai Opetaia could be derailed by a YouTuber
Zurdo’s last fight saw the Mexican champion defend his titles against Yuniel Dorticos on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Paul defeated Chavez Jr. in the main event, and later called out Zurdo, claiming he’s good but slow.
Ramirez said he would be open to facing Jake Paul in defense of his world titles, which is now a possibility as Paul has been given a top 15 ranking.
In one of boxing’s bizarre turns, it seems the one thing that could prevent the huge unification bout between Ramirez and Opetaia is a former Disney channel actor turned YouTuber turned boxer.