For the second time this week, Zuffa Boxing has signed a cruiserweight contender. Days after inking ex-champ Chris Billam-Smith, Zuffa announced a deal with power-punching Canadian Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1, 19 KOs). Rozicki is currently ranked #1 by the WBC. Zuffa now has two attractive opponents for its star 200 pounder, current Zuffa champion and former IBF champion Jai Opetaia. Rozicki has wanted to fight Opetaia some time now. “Jai and his team know who I am,” Rozicki said back in February. “I have been knocking on that door for years. They obviously don’t want the fight; it is what it is."
“We tried numerous times to get that fight with Jai,” Three Lions Promotions Managing Director Daniel Otter explained at the time. “I’m sure Dana White (Zuffa Boxing) will like that fight (Opetaia vs. Rozicki). He makes his guys take on the best... I am confident that Ryan has what it takes to stop Jai. To be frank, I think that because of the styles of both fighters, Ryan gets him out of there early. No disrespect to Jai and his team, but Ryan is cut from a different cloth. Everyone will find out soon enough.” Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs) signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing last year and defeated Brandon Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) on March 8th at Metro Apex in Las Vegas.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
APRIL 14, 2026: Former cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith agreed to a multi-fight promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing [and seems destined for a fight with Zuffa champion Jai Opetaia, considered the top 200-pounder in the world]. Billam-Smith will have his next fight to be announced soon; "This move is about proving I am the best in the world. I can't wait to get back in the ring, headlining shows, live on Sky," he said. Billam-Smith beat Brandon Glanton in his most recent fight last April. The 35-year-old has a 21-2 record and the reputation for being one of the most exciting fighters in Britain.
"I'm really excited by this opportunity to work with Zuffa and Sky Sports," said Billam-Smith. "When two powerhouses in the world of entertainment come together like this, you know it will be a success, and you want to be a part of that. This move is about proving I am the best in the world. I can't wait to get back in the ring, headlining shows, live on Sky Sports."
Billam-Smith has a tremendous fanbase in his hometown of Bournemouth and headlined at the Vitality Stadium when he dethroned Lawrence Okolie to win the WBO cruiserweight title in 2023. That win came a year after he thrilled his supporters with an all-action victory over Isaac Chamberlain to win the European championship and set up his world title shot with a crunching knockout victory over Armend Xhoxhaj. He also topped the bill at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park when he avenged an early career defeat to Richard Riakporhe and defended his world title against the hard-punching Londoner.
Trained by Shane McGuigan, one of the UK's most successful coaches, from the start of his career, Billam-Smith has won British, Commonwealth, European and world titles on his route to the top of the division, all while routinely fighting in front of sold-out crowds. Determined to take on the best opposition, he previously told Sky Sports: "I'm very motivated, very driven now, very excited. I feel in a really good place, probably the best place I've felt for many, many years, probably pre-Lawrence Okolie fight. I think mentally, where I'm at in life, but also physically as well. I feel like I'm in a really good position so I'm excited to get back in the ring. I want the best fights out there. The ones that are going to get me up for making a statement."
