Australian IBF & The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has accused British WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith of deceiving the public after remarking during a live broadcast on DAZN that offers to fight had been avoided. Though it is yet unclear whether BOXXER, Smith’s promoter, had any hand in the alleged rejection of Opetaia’s offers, Billam-Smith himself has expressed interest in fighting Opetaia.
Chris Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KO’s) spoke in-depth about wanting to face Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KO’s) during an interview with Sky Sports prior to his June 15th win over Richard Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KO’s), which saw Billam-Smith successfully defend his WBO cruiserweight (200 lbs) title for the second time.
“I think it’s [Opetaia vs. Billam-Smith] the biggest fight in the division at the moment. It would be great to get that fight done. It would be amazing if we could do it for an undisputed world title, for all four of the belts.
“I think that’s the big one. I’ve got a job to do but down the line definitely, it’s a huge fight and the biggest fight in the division. He [Opetaia] ticks a lot of boxes, he’s got good footwork, really good timing, good speed, good shot selection, he’s super tough as well, obviously you’ve seen him fight with a broken jaw.
“He’s a really, really talented fighter and, like I said, ticks a lot of boxes. So it would be great if we could fight down the line.”
BOXXER chairman Ben Shalom had also echoed Smith’s sentiment of fighting in a unification fight prior to the Smith-Riakporhe bout during an interview with boxing media outlet October Red.
“I think Chris [Billam-Smith] will unify if he wins, he’ll want to go into a unification [bout].”
However, it now appears as if Chris Billam-Smith has no actual intentions of fighting in a unification bout after rejecting offers by Opetaia’s team to face him. During a live broadcast appearance on DAZN during fellow Australian Justis Huni’s (10-0, 5 KO’s) fight with countryman Troy Pilcher (9-1-1, 7 KO’s), Jai Opetaia unleashed upon Chris Billam-Smith as he admonished the British fighter in a profanity-filled interview for avoiding him.
“I’m ready for that fight. They’ve been going over saying they’re waiting for negotiations and shit. It’s f*****g bulls**t. He doesn’t want that fight. It’s easy done. He’d get the biggest paycheck he’s ever had. He’ll be on the biggest stage he’s ever been on.”
“It’s a no-brainer to take, but the only reason they wouldn’t take it is if they’re ducking. The offer’s there, we’ve made the offer. If he’s not taking it, he’s ducking the fight.”
Additionally, Opetaia claimed he had put up $250,000 to entice Billam-Smith for a unification fight.
Chris Billam-Smith has not yet responded to the allegations of avoiding Jai Opetaia. As both Smith and Ben Shalom had stated he was interested in a unification fight, with only Smith himself specifically targeting Opetaia, there might be some behind-the-scenes attempts to fight any of the other two cruiserweight champions in the division. It should be noted that Mexican WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (46-1, 30 KO’s) just received an order from the WBA last month to face Cuban mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KO’s).
Armenian WBC 200 lbs champion Norair Mikaeljan (27-2, 12 KO’s) is also set to be occupied as he will still be expected to face Canadian #1 WBC [cruiserweight] contender Ryan Rozicki (20-1, 19 KO’s). Though their June 7th match was cancelled after Mikaeljan suffered an injury during preparation, Mikaeljan is still expected to make a title defense as he has yet to defend it since winning it last November.
