Jack Massey, still chasing Chris Billam-Smith, reveals true allure of Zuffa Boxing
Cruiserweight contender Jack Massey admits that his fight next week, on Zuffa Boxing’s first show in the UK, will allow him to take a closer look at a rival he is already familiar with.
While Massey must first overcome Cheavon Clarke in the co-feature, he will doubtless be paying close attention to the main event between Chris Billam-Smith and Canadian puncher Ryan Rozicki.
Massey defeated Billam-Smith via decision in the amateurs, and a rematch is said to be of interest to Sky Sports, who will televise the show in the UK.
The 33-year-old Massey, 22-3 (13 KOs) and trained by Joe Gallagher, is excited to open his account against the former Team GB Olympian Clarke on June 6 at the Bournemouth International Centre.
“I think it’s going to be great,” said Massey of the event. “I think the reason why I was signing with them [Zuffa] is because, in my career, it’s always been ‘when’s your next fight, when’s your next fight.’ Sometimes I’ve had six months or even a year break between fights – inactivity – but with these guys, it’s looking like you’re going to know your next date pretty much straight after you fight. I think, Dana [White] is a very, very busy man.
“He’s got the UFC and everything else. I think he has to plan quite in advance and have dates down for the next events because he’s back-to-back all the time. I think you’re going to know your next date when you come out of the ring and that, for me, is probably one of the main things in boxing. It’s been one of the main pains in my career, not knowing when your next fight is.”
Massey said he has not yet spoken with Zuffa Boxing boss White, but one man he does think he could renew acquaintances with is Billam-Smith.
While Bournemouth’s former WBO champion has made no secret of his desire to face Jai Opetaia, Massey can see his old amateur foe on the horizon and is hoping he could provide “The Gentleman” with an inconvenient alternative to the big-punching Australian.
A fight with Billam-Smith is something that Massey, who lost in six rounds to Opetaia in 2024, has attempted to land before.
“We did try to make it happen in the past but all we can do is just keep pushing forward, keep winning, keep beating these guys in front of me and we’ll be in that position where he has to fight me,” Massey said. “I don’t think it’s a mistake that they put me as chief support on the Bournemouth card. I think that there might be a little bit of something in that, to build a fight in the future but I don’t mind Chris. I haven’t got a bad word to say about him. I know I shout him out and it’s the fight game, that’s just strictly business but he has turned the Opetaia fight down before. I think he knows it’s a very dangerous fight and he’s chasing that again. I think he’s realised that now [Billam-Smith’s] not got a belt he needs a big fight like that now.”
It was more than 13 years ago when Massey and CBS fought as amateurs.
“We’ve both come on, we’ve both matured into fully grown cruiserweights and men and we are totally different fighters but, stylistically, it still makes a great, great fight,” Massey added.
“He’s done absolutely amazing [in his career]. He's done great and hopefully we can make it happen and we get back up to that level where he was at, world title level and get someone a nice belt.
“[First] we’ll get our fight out of the way and obviously see what happens with Chris’ fight. “He’s got a tough fight ahead of him and hopefully he comes out on top.”
