By Tom Ivers
September 3, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
The WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith has confirmed he is in negotiations to fight WBA titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez later in November.
Billam-Smith has been searching for a unification fight since June, when he defeated Richard Riakporhe. He had been targeted by the IBF champion Jai Opetaia, but the Australian is instead set to defend his title against Britain’s Jack Massey on October 12.
It was recently reported that Billam-Smith, 34, and the 33-year-old Ramirez were negotiating a fight overseen by Riyadh Season and Golden Boy Promotions. It has also been suggested that America and Saudi Arabia are potential venues.
“We are in talks for that fight,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports. “At the moment that’s the only fight we are talking about. Obviously, you’ve got Opetaia fighting Jack Massey. I always said I’d be ready in November or December – at the moment we’re looking at November but not entirely sure where yet. We’re working on it.
“It’s exciting – a unification fight against someone who’s only ever been beaten by [Dmitry] Bivol. It’s a very hard test and it would be an honor for me to fight for and become unified champion.”
After Billam-Smith’s victory over Riakporhe, he stressed that a unification fight in America was his favored next move. Though that remains his preference, he also said that he is happy to fight for another title anywhere in the world.
“I’m not going to turn down a fight for a unification just because of where it is,” he added. “At the end of the day, it’s the business – things can change very quickly in boxing.
“At that point Golden Boy had no dealings with the Saudis – that’s more recent – so I think it would be their show. We’re waiting to see what happens. Unification fight anywhere in the world.”
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