Sydney, Australia – March 5, 2026 – Undisputed IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has publicly questioned the timing of rival Chris Billam-Smith’s apparent renewed interest in a unification bout, suggesting that the British boxer may have missed his optimal window for such a high-stakes encounter. The comments, reported by sportsamo.com, come in the wake of Billam-Smith’s recent WBA and WBO title defeat to Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez in November 2024.
Opetaia, known for his potent left hook and tactical prowess, indicated that significant discussions for a unification clash between himself and Billam-Smith were on the table when both fighters held world championship belts. However, according to Opetaia, Billam-Smith opted for a different path, one that he believes was an attempt to secure additional championship hardware before facing the Australian powerhouse.
"He thought it was going to be an easier fight," Opetaia told Sky Sports, referencing the period when unification talks were most active. "He wanted to collect a belt before he fought me. He thought it would be easier. But now look." This sentiment highlights Opetaia’s perception that Billam-Smith, then the WBO cruiserweight champion, may have strategically avoided a direct confrontation with Opetaia while the stakes were highest for both.
The cruiserweight division has seen significant shifts in recent years, with multiple champions vying for supremacy. Opetaia, who has held the IBF title since June 2022, has been a dominant force, successfully defending his belt against formidable opponents. His reign has been marked by a commitment to facing the division’s elite, a philosophy he claims has guided his career.
Billam-Smith, conversely, experienced a high-profile challenge against the seasoned Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez. The bout, held in November 2024, was a significant event, with Ramirez emerging victorious, unifying the WBA and WBO titles. This outcome, Opetaia argues, has fundamentally altered the landscape and the perceived value of a fight between them.
"Don’t you think it’s crazy how I was trying to fight him for so long when he had the belt?" Opetaia remarked, his tone suggesting a mixture of frustration and vindication. "Now he doesn’t have a belt, now he wants to fight." This observation points to a perceived shift in motivation, where the allure of a unification fight may have become more attractive to Billam-Smith now that he is the challenger rather than a defending champion.
Opetaia reiterated his readiness and willingness to engage in a unification contest when the opportunity was present. "We had the opportunity to have a unification fight. We were always talking about it. I was ready," he stated, emphasizing his proactive stance. This suggests a consistent desire from Opetaia’s camp to cement his legacy as the undisputed cruiserweight king by facing and defeating all major champions.
The Australian fighter also took the opportunity to address any perceptions that he might be a selective opponent. He firmly denied such accusations, asserting that his career has been built on accepting the challenges presented to him. "I’ve never hand-picked a fight," Opetaia declared. "I legit just sit in the gym, train hard, and they call up and say you’re fighting him here, and I say done." This statement underscores his commitment to the sport and his belief in facing whoever is put in front of him, a hallmark of true champions.
Looking ahead, Opetaia’s immediate focus is on his upcoming mandatory defense of the IBF cruiserweight title against American contender Brandon Glanton. The highly anticipated bout is scheduled for Sunday, March 8th, and represents another step in Opetaia’s quest to consolidate his position as the undisputed ruler of the cruiserweight division. His ambition remains clear: to collect all the major belts and etch his name in boxing history as one of the all-time greats in his weight class. The potential for a future clash with Billam-Smith, though now framed differently by Opetaia, still lingers as a significant possibility in the ever-evolving world of professional boxing.
Robert Segal, a seasoned boxing journalist with over a decade of experience, contributed this report. Known for his direct reporting and ringside insights, Segal provides authoritative coverage of boxing’s global landscape, from established champions to rising stars.
