Chris Billam-Smith Signs Deal with Zuffa Boxing

Former World Boxing Organization cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith has signed a multifight deal with Zuffa Boxing, marking a new chapter for the 35-year-old British fighter after a year of inactivity.

The Bournemouth native, who holds a professional record of 21 wins and 2 losses with 13 knockouts, last competed in April 2025, securing a unanimous 12-round decision victory over Brandon Glanton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. That win followed a period of relative quiet after he lost his WBO title in a unification bout against Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024. Billam-Smith had captured the belt in May 2023 with an upset points victory over Lawrence Okolie in his hometown at Vitality Stadium, then defended it successfully against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe, including a rematch win over Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

His previous promotional agreement with Boxxer expired at the end of 2025, prompting a search for fresh opportunities. The World Boxing Organization had mandated an eliminator bout against Roman Fress, but the process stalled when Fress's team secured the rights with a purse bid of 150,000 pounds, leading Billam-Smith to pursue other paths....