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Chris Billam-Smith signs with Zuffa Boxing and will fight on Sky Sports | 'This is about proving I am the best in the world'

Chris Billam-Smith agrees a multi-fight promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing; Billam-Smith will fight on Sky Sports with 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

Cruiserweight star Chris Billam-Smith has signed with new promotional powerhouse Zuffa Boxing and will fight live on Sky Sports.

Billam-Smith has signed a multi-fight deal and his promotional debut is set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The 35-year-old has a 21-2 (13) record and the reputation for being one of the most exciting fighters in Britain.

A former world champion, he lost his WBO title to Gilberto Ramirez but rebounded with a victory over Zuffa stablemate Brandon Glanton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last year.

Billam-Smith's Zuffa Boxing bouts will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

"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."

If we get Opetaia vs CBS, then that's not bad

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 09:19 If we get Opetaia vs CBS, then that's not bad

Target practice for Jai.

McGuigan's now doing business with Zuffa

I suspect it won't be the only McG boxer we see signed to Zuffa this year

Keeps him on Sky as well

Chris Billam-Smith signs with multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing

Cruiserweight contender Chris Billam-Smith has signed with Zuffa Boxing which, by association, means that his next fight will be broadcast by Sky Sports.

Bournemouth, England's Billam-Smith, 21-2 (13 KOs), is a former WBO beltholder, winning the title with an upset points win over Lawrence Okolie in May 2023. He would make two successful defenses, beating Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe, before losing his title to Gilberto Ramirez in a 2024 unification. His only action since then saw him outpoint Brandon Glanton 12 months ago.

The 35-year-old, formerly with Boxxer, stated: "I'm really excited by this opportunity to work with Zuffa and Sky Sports... The 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."

The inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight belt was contested in March, won by Jai Opetaia - a longtime target of Billam-Smith - when he too outpointed Glanton over 12 rounds.

“Boxing at the level I’ve boxed at and seeing what I see I don’t think he [Opetaia]’s ever looked invincible,” Billam-Smith told Boxing Scene earlier this year. “I think he’s looked very, very, very good and no one could doubt his talent, but no one’s invincible and I think he’s shown that a few times."

Billam-Smith's recent inactivity coincided with his contract with Boxxer, which expired at the end of 2025, winding down. He was ordered by the WBO to take on Roman Fress in an eliminator of sorts but when the German's team won the purse bids by tabling $150,000, the Englishman's interest in the contest waned.

Billam-Smith, known as one of Britain's most exciting fighters, has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa. The first outing under his new promoters is expected to be announced later this month.

'star' is that the correct terminology?

Zuffa announces Chris Billam-Smith signing

British former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith is the latest Zuffa signing, the promotional company announced Monday.

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) has signed a multi-fight deal with the company and an announcement on his return will follow in the coming weeks. His last outing came at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of the Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn I undercard last April, where he outpointed Brandon Glanton over 12 grueling rounds.

"I'm really excited by this opportunity to work with Zuffa and Sky Sports," the Bournemouth man said.

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:20 'star' is that the correct terminology?

He's a star in Bournemouth

Cruiserweight division:
Benavidez Vs Ramírez
Opetaia Vs CBS (both on Zuffa)

Then there's almost nobody else worth fighting, except maybe Riley. Having the top four split by promotional issues will kill the division even more than it has already been.

He needs to fight more than once a year.

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:20 'star' is that the correct terminology?

He's a star in Bournemouth

Is he even tho?

johnmanchester wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 09:24 McGuigan's now doing business with Zuffa

I suspect it won't be the only McG boxer we see signed to Zuffa this year

The curry houses and underwear joints of Canterbury will be working overtime.

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:20 'star' is that the correct terminology?

He's a star in Bournemouth

Went to Boscome for my honeymoon in 88. Shit hole then. Can't imagine what Bournemouth is like now

johnmanchester wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 09:24 McGuigan's now doing business with Zuffa

I suspect it won't be the only McG boxer we see signed to Zuffa this year

Bad news for Benny

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:45

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:20 'star' is that the correct terminology?

He's a star in Bournemouth

Is he even tho?

I was being sarcastic. It doesn't matter if you're a star in a city of 200,000 people if they want to sell a PPV

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 11:22

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:45

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

He's a star in Bournemouth

Is he even tho?

I was being sarcastic. It doesn't matter if you're a star in a city of 200,000 people if they want to sell a PPV

Zuffa are quite happy to take on loss leaders

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 11:22

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:45

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

He's a star in Bournemouth

Is he even tho?

I was being sarcastic. It doesn't matter if you're a star in a city of 200,000 people if they want to sell a PPV

I would would put him on a par with Steve fletcher

Hopefully its life changing deal for CBS as jes probably going to get smashed by Jai later this year

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:52

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:33

MasterG wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 10:20 'star' is that the correct terminology?

He's a star in Bournemouth

Went to Boscome for my honeymoon in 88. Shit hole then. Can't imagine what Bournemouth is like now

Why was it a shithole in the 80s?
Used to go every year there and it was great, especially air show time.
Agree about now though, proper dump.

Good signing, more of those please. More signings, more fights . One card per month is definitely not enough

Decent signing, but with the greatest of respect hes in his mid 30s and has probably overachieved. So not sure other than being a name for someone like jai to look good against.

stujones wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 15:48 Decent signing, but with the greatest of respect hes in his mid 30s and has probably overachieved. So not sure other than being a name for someone like jai to look good against.

The thing is. They’re starting up and have broadcast deals.

At this point, they just need a roster.

I dont understand why are we waiting for zuffa 06 until 10 may. Ufc cards are every week. Over 100 boxers are signed with zuffa and lot of fighters who fought in 01 and 02 are definitely ready to fight again. I believe they can do card at least every 2 weeks.

Cent0089 wrote: ↑13 Apr 2026, 16:05 I dont understand why are we waiting for zuffa 06 until 10 may. Ufc cards are every week. Over 100 boxers are signed with zuffa and lot of fighters who fought in 01 and 02 are definitely ready to fight again. I believe they can do card at least every 2 weeks.

Why do you want them to do a card a week?

UFC is weekly, that’s Dana’s priority no doubt.

Zuffa is a progress. They’re not rushing anything.