Chris Billam-Smith turned down “life-changing money” to box Jai Opetaia earlier this year to ensure that when he fights him, he beats him.
Opetaia is the reigning IBF cruiserweight world champion, while Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith, a WBO title holder, will be hoping to prove himself as the best fighter in the division.
Billam-Smith believes he is on course for a final clash with Australia’s Opetaia.
But first, he faces WBA world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in a high-stakes unification on Saturday, live. Sky Sports.
The Brit could have boxed Opetaia earlier this year in October, but chose to unify Ramirez instead.
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Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya is tipping former undisputed heavyweight champion Alexander Usyk to fight the winner of Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith.
“The problem with Opetaia’s offer… they said October 12 and they said they offered 10 weeks and they said that’s enough for the camp. It is, but I was in America for three-and-a-half weeks on a family holiday,” said Billam-Smith. Sky Sports.
“It would be a five- or six-week camp for a unification fight,” explained the WBO champion. “They (said) “It’s life-changing money.” It’s not about that, it’s about winning and preparing myself the best I can.
“Throughout my career I’ve been a pro in handling the camps and doing everything right, so I didn’t want to cut it short for anybody, whether it was an easy fight or a tough fight.
“I wouldn’t want to cut camp just because there’s more money on the table. You get blamed anyway. You’re blamed for not fighting because it’s ridiculous money, but then you’re also blamed for cutting camp. and taking the money.
“I’ve always played the long game, I’ve always made sure I’m ready for the opportunities that come my way. And like I said, I don’t want to cut camp short for anybody.”
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Coach Shane McGuigan responds to Gilberto Ramirez coach Malik Scott’s comments that the Mexican is taller than Chris Billam-Smith.
He is convinced that the Opetaia fight will happen.
“Me vs. Opetaia is the fight that has been talked about in the division. everyone considers it #1 and #2. I want that fight to happen after my next fight,” Billam-Smith said. “That would be the ideal for me.
“All champions are very respectable champions,” he added. “Next up is Zurdo and I think highly of him.”
A future fight with Opetaia does not worry Billam-Smith, although the Australian has impressed with wins over Mairis Briedis, Jack Massey and others.
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Shane McGuigan has urged fellow fighter Chris Billam-Smith to seize the moment as he looks to add the WBA world cruiserweight title to his collection when he faces Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
“Everybody just sees him as this monster that can’t be defeated. And I’ve never seen him like that,” Billam-Smith said.
“Jack Massey is the second best name on Opetaia’s record, on paper.
“At this point I don’t think Zurdo gets enough credit because he hasn’t had many fights in the bantamweight division and he beat (Arsen) Gulamiryan who was old and inactive, but it was still very, very good. win Very, very good win.
“Maybe his inactivity affected him in that fight. But still, a very, very good win and the way (Ramirez) did it, he was very busy in that fight, he really let his hands go and had good variety.
“You also have (WBC champion Noel) Mikaelian, who has had a really close fight with Briedis in the past. He’s really awkward.
“I think the other two champions, in terms of “Zurdo” and Noel Mikayelyan, are very underestimated.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith’s world title fight with Gilberto Ramirez live on Saturday Sky Sports Mix: from 5 p.m
