Chris Billam-Smith remains determined to become the undisputed cruiserweight world champion despite his recent setback. The British fighter is eager to bounce back after his loss to Gilberto Ramirez last November and is preparing to face Brandon Glanton on April 26, as part of the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn undercard.
Billam-Smith’s impressive 11-fight winning streak was halted when he lost to Ramirez in a WBA and WBO unification bout in Riyadh. That defeat temporarily derailed his hopes of facing Jai Opetaia but has not ended his pursuit of that fight. Now, he looks to rebuild his momentum, beginning with Glanton.
Ranked No. 4 by the WBC, Billam-Smith sees the fight as a crucial step forward. “Brandon Glanton is ranked No. 5, I’m No. 4, while No. 3, No. 2, and No. 1 are all supposed to be fighting each other,” he explained to Sky Sports. “I need to put in a strong performance on April 26, then see what comes next.”
One potential opponent is Badou Jack, though Billam-Smith doubts the former champion is interested. “I’d love to fight him, but I genuinely don’t think he wants to fight me,” he said. “He hasn’t seemed keen in interviews or at the WBC convention when my name was mentioned.”
With Ramirez likely to face Yuniel Dorticos before taking on Opetaia, Billam-Smith believes Jack has limited options. “If he’s looking for a big-money fight, I’m one of the most relevant names outside the champions,” he added.
Billam-Smith’s rise in the division included wins over Lawrence Okolie, Mateusz Masternak, and Richard Riakporhe before running into Ramirez. Though a fight with Opetaia had seemed imminent, it was put on hold. The undefeated Australian champion, now 27-0, has continued his success with wins over Mairis Briedis, Jack Massey, and David Nyika in 2024.
However, Billam-Smith still believes a fight with Opetaia is possible. “It’s probably three fights away,” he said. “First, I beat Glanton, then win the WBC belt, and if Opetaia beats Ramirez, that sets up an undisputed fight.” He acknowledged there are uncertainties, including the possibility of Opetaia moving up a weight class or facing Dmitry Bivol, but remains focused on the immediate challenge. “Right now, my only concern is Glanton.”
For Billam-Smith, losing to Ramirez has only strengthened his motivation. “If something went wrong again, it wouldn’t end my career,” he stated. “I’m not looking for an exit from boxing. In fact, I feel reinvigorated and have a fresh mindset in training.” He emphasized a renewed focus on learning and improving. “Every day, I’m not just going through the motions—I’m thinking outside the box and adding to my game.”
Glanton, who had drawn attention around the time of Billam-Smith’s fight with Okolie in 2023, now has his chance to prove himself. “I don’t remember him, but my mate does,” Billam-Smith admitted. “Apparently, he was causing a scene with Isaac Chamberlain and shadowboxing with Lawrence.”
Describing Glanton as a “trash-talking bully,” Billam-Smith remains unfazed. “I like that sort of thing—nobody likes a bully,” he said. Confident in his ability to re-establish himself among the division’s best, he sees April 26 as the next step toward his ultimate goal: becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion.