Chris Billam-Smith expects to fight Jai Opetaia in 2027 if both win upcoming bouts. The former world champion has long targeted Australia's Opetaia, widely regarded as the best cruiserweight. Opetaia will box Noel Mikaelian on the undercard of Conor Benn's fight with Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas on September 12. Billam-Smith picks Opetaia to win but notes Mikaelian has good names on his record.

Billam-Smith plans to return in November, likely in London or Bournemouth. He lost his WBO championship to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024 and beat Brandon Glanton in his only bout last year. June's thunderous collision with Ryan Rozicki showed the 36-year-old can still perform in top-level contests. "I had to be switched on and pushing the training as I do and looking for different ways to improve," he said.

He also wants revenge against Cheavon Clarke and Jack Massey, who both beat him in ABA finals. Both fought on his undercard recently. "I owe him one and I feel like that does the Jack Massey one in the ABA final as well," Billam-Smith noted. "I'm on it. And I'm still getting better."