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Eubank Jr. vs Benn: How does 'The Gentleman' Chris Billam-Smith get back on the path to undisputed?
Chris Billam-Smith returns to the ring this weekend against Brandon Glanton, with revenge, redemption, and a path back to his undisputed cruiserweight dream in his sights.
'The Gentleman' fights on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since a loss to Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez last year.
Tasting defeat for the second time in his career, the Bournemouth native could not outpoint the Mexican in their unification bout, as the latter claimed the WBA and WBO titles.
Billam-Smith will now be looking to bounce back with a statement win against American contender and knockout artist Glanton this weekend in a first bout since November.
But what lies ahead should he deliver on his promise at the Grand Arrivals to “right some wrongs from the last fight” and take the victory under the bright lights in London?
Unfinished business for a ‘Zurdo’ rematch
Two-strap holder Ramirez is currently scheduled to defend his newly acquired unified title belts in June against Yuniel Dorticos, but Billam-Smith clearly wants a second shot too.
He has made it clear that the rematch was top of the list for a world championship-level comeback, telling Seconds Out at Tuesday's Grand Arrivals: "I’d love to fight Zurdo again.
"Anyone that beats you, you want to fight again. That’s how I was for Richard [Riakporhe], I had to wait five years to fight Richard again and that’s my mentality. I need to get that one back.”
When asked what he would do differently if he got a second opportunity, Billam-Smith added that he was “too one dimensional” previously and he would look to be “more well-rounded” in a rematch.
The Gentleman may have to exercise patience for revenge however, as a unification bout between Ramirez and Jai Opetaia looks the likely next step for both after the summer.
Jack in the box for WBC crown
Swedish three-weight world champion Badou Jack offers another path to a world title return for Billam-Smith, with the former currently in possession of the WBC crown.
Jack inherited it from Norair Mikaeljan at the end of 2024, and will now fight for the first time since 2023 against him beneath Canelo Alvarez and William Scull on May 3.
Billam-Smith almost stepped in after original opponent Ryan Rozicki pulled out through injury, and admitted to Seconds Out that he was up for the challenge at hand.
“I messaged Ben Shalom immediately saying get me that fight,” he explained. “I knew we had a contracted fight, but I want to get back to winning world titles
"I thought I could get straight back in there - it’s a week after my fight. Jai and Zurdo are likely to fight each other, so who knows.
"If Badou Jack needs a fight, or the winner of next week needs a fight in the meantime, then I’ll be your man.”
Ranked fourth with the WBC, Billam-Smith could yet be a credible contender to meet Jack or Mikaeljan next, with such a bout perhaps the clearest pathway back to the summit.
Down under for Opetaia challenge
Few challenges would come tougher for Billam-Smith than the Australian, who currently reigns with the IBF and Ring Magazine titles as one of the fiercest cruiserweight operators.
Like Ramirez, Opetaia is tied up with a June defence against Claudio Squeo, and will hope victory can pave a path to a unification bout with despite governing body struggles.
It seems unlikely Billam-Smith would be the next foe for the star to face, but victory against Glanton and then a successful WBC challenge could tee up a terrific 2026 for him.
While unification would take any world title opportunity off the table this year, an undisputed clash could yet await and offer Billam-Smith the biggest shot of his career thus far.
He first must topple Glanton however, whose powerful come-forward style will provide staunch opposition to the former WBO champion when he returns to the ring on Saturday.
But win and it opens up for 'The Gentleman', who plans to put on a show and pick up exactly where he left off on his journey to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN
Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and DAZN PPV is the only place to watch them all.
- April 26: Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn
- May 2: Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
- May 3: Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull
Arch rivals Eubank Jr. and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £19.95 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.
Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN.
