Chris Billam-Smith Expresses Willingness to Step in and Fight Deontay Wilder if Jai Opetaia Withdraws

Sky Sports•Published: Oct 14, 2026 10:30 AM IST

Chris Billam-Smith has revealed he would gladly step in to face heavy-punching former world champion Deontay Wilder if current cruiserweight standout Jai Opetaia cannot make the bout happen. While Billam-Smith has long targeted a matchup against Opetaia, the Australian fighter is reportedly lined up for heavyweight clashes against Wilder and potentially David Benavidez.

Cruiserweight Ambitions: Billam-Smith has long wanted to face Australia's Jai Opetaia, who is widely regarded as the best cruiserweight fighter in the world today.
Heavyweight Plans: Opetaia is reportedly planning to move up to the heavyweight division to battle Deontay Wilder on a major upcoming undercard.
Alternative Targets: If Opetaia proceeds with his heavyweight schedule, Billam-Smith stated he is unwilling to wait a year and would instead target other high-profile fights.

The Context & Background

Opetaia's promotional team has confirmed that negotiations for a high-risk bout against Wilder are actively underway. Billam-Smith, meanwhile, remains focused on his upcoming November 7 bout against Cheavon Clarke live on Sky Sports.

Why it matters:This potential shake-up highlights the fluid and high-stakes nature of modern boxing matchmaking, where fighters readily cross division lines for legacy bouts. For fans, the prospect of Billam-Smith stepping in against a devastating puncher like Wilder adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already star-studded heavyweight landscape.

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