According to promoter Ben Shalom of BOXXER, there are ongoing negotiations to get Chris Billam-Smith a world title opportunity against newly crowned IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
Billam-Smith, ranked at number three by the IBF, is coming off an action-packed win over Isaac Chamberlain.
The sole defeat on Billam-Smith’s record came at the hands of Richard Riakporhe by split decision in July of 2019. He’s won seven fights in a row since.
Earlier this year, Opetaia pulled off a big upset win when he secured a twelve round decision over Mairis Briedis to capture the IBF crown.
The performance impressed a lot of observers in the sport. Not only does Shalom want to finalize that fight, he also wants to sign Opetaia to a promotional agreement.
“I do expect that fight to happen. We are in talks with Jai,” Shalom said to Sky Sports. “I think he wants to fight in December.
“We’d like to sign him. We think he’s a very talented fighter that has been the guy no-one really wanted to fight. But because of the extent of talent in the cruiserweight division, with Richard, with Lawrence, with Chris, with Mikael Lawal who fights Deion Jumah for the British very soon, they all want world titles.
“They all want world title opportunities and Jai wants to come over to the UK and defend his belt over here. I expect to announce Jai in a fight with one of those guys. It’s an exciting time for boxing in general. There’s so much going on. So many fights everywhere. But what’s good is the big fights are now being made. Because I think there’s a pressure on all promoters and broadcasters to do it.”