Chris Billam-Smith vs Jai Opetaia Expected After Rozicki Win
In an early candidate for Fight of the Year, one-time cruiserweight champion “The Gentleman” Chris Billam-Smith earned a hard-fought win over “The Bruiser” Ryan Rozicki. With this victory, Billam-Smith will undoubtedly target Zuffa belt-holder Jai Opetaia (30-0, 23KO) next.
There was no feeling-out process as both men went toe-to-toe at the opening bell. The Gentleman (22-2, 14KO) landed hard shots early that would drop a normal opponent. However, The Bruiser (21-2-1, 20KO) ate punches like candy and pressed forward for more. In the second half of the fight, Rozicki hurt the Brit with body shots. To the fans’ delight, it became a bloody affair of will between two unyielding fighters.
With their fighter’s face seriously damaged, Rozicki’s corner decided to stop the fight at the end of the seventh round. There is only one fight that should be a top priority, and that is with Opetaia. These two have been wanting to fight back since Smith held the WBO title and Opetaia held the IBF title.
Since that time, the Australian has been stripped of the IBF title, and The Gentleman was defeated by Gilberto Ramirez in 2024. The time to make the fight a reality is now, and it will be an all-out war. Smith has proven he can take a punch and has never been stopped. However, Opetaia is a different animal that can box from the outside or fight on the inside.
Let’s hope Zuffa gives the fans the fight we want to see.
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