Connect with us

Boxing

Zuffa signs Billam-Smith and Opetaia in the game

Published

on

Image: Boxing Results: Bruised and Battered: Chris Billiam-Smith Overcomes Relentless Brandon Glanton in Razor-Thin Decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Zuffa adds an experienced former titleholder to its growing lineup

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, which puts his next fights on Sky Sports and puts him directly into the organization’s growing cruiserweight mix. The 35-year-old was out of the ring for a year and last won a 12-round decision over Brandon Glanton.


Billam-Smith’s path to a world title continues to matter in this division. He upset Lawrence Okolie in a fight for the WBO belt in May 2023, then defended it in fights against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe, before losing the unification fight to Gilberto Ramirez in 2024. This loss, followed by problems with the contract with Boxxer, slowed down his activity and made him wait for the right move.

“It’s obvious,” Billam-Smith said. “They are entertainment powerhouses and that’s what I’m all about: entertaining. This move is about proving that I’m the best in the world. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and headline live shows on Sky Sports.”

This moment is directly linked to Zuffa’s early moves in the cruiserweight division. The promotion was capped by the first belt holder in March when Jai Opetaia overtook Glanton over 12 rounds. Opetaia is a name that Billam-Smith has been pursuing for a long time and has already made his views clear.

“I don’t think he’s ever looked invincible,” Billam-Smith said earlier this year. “He is very, very good, but no one is invincible.”

There were other routes on the table. The WBO placed him in an eliminator against Roman Fress, but interest waned when the purse bid was $150,000. Its contract with Boxxer expired at the end of 2025, and the lack of activity that followed now feels like a waiting period for a bigger platform.

Zuffa is building its squad with a mix of prospects and substantial names, and Billam-Smith fits right in as a ready-made opponent for significant fights. Its debut under the recent banner is to be announced soon.

He joins at the right time, but he also joins wanting to move quickly.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Quick hits

Last update: 2026/04/13 at 12:28

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather says ‘I’m on my way’ as fight in Greece faces legal threat

Published

on

Floyd Mayweather alongside a graphic detailing claims connected to proposed boxing events involving Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson

Floyd Mayweather insists he is heading to Greece this week despite a growing legal dispute that could cast a shadow over the event.

The undefeated boxing legend sent a direct message to Greek fans on Tuesday amid ongoing preparations for his June 27 event against kickboxing star Mike Zambidis in Athens.

“I want to thank everyone, I want to thank you for all the support. Greece, I’m on my way.

“Let’s have fun, let’s have fun and give the people what they want to see. Greece, I’m on my way.”

The news comes as a growing controversy surrounds several proposed Mayweather-related events involving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather presses forward

The recently disclosed arbitration request involving plaintiffs Jaspreet Mathur and EMI Capital LLC focuses on contracts related to proposed Mayweather events involving Tyson and Pacquiao.

The dispute names Jona Rechnitz and entities affiliated with Frist Apex Ventures among respondents and fits into an increasingly complicated picture of Mayweather’s exhibition plans.

At the same time, social media related to the case publicly alleged that rights related to Mayweather’s planned return to professional boxing had been sold to separate event producers.

The claims remain allegations, and Mayweather has not publicly addressed the latest filing.

What he did was further promote Greece.

While the arbitration proceedings are ongoing elsewhere, Mayweather is acting as if the June 27 date remains on track.

Collision course

The exhibition in Greece is moving forward and the controversy surrounding Tyson and Pacquiao is gaining momentum.

It’s unclear whether these proceedings will ultimately impact any of the proposed events, but Mayweather shows no signs of changing course.

Just a few weeks ago, attention focused on whether shows featuring Mike Zambidis, Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson could co-exist on the same schedule.

The focus now is on whether these plans will survive the increasingly public battle over the broader project.

For now, Athens remains on the calendar, with only days left until the first bell.

Despite the growing controversy surrounding the feud, Mayweather appears determined to keep the event going in Greece.

His message to Greece remains unchanged.

“I’m on my way.”


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Promoter Naoya Inoue points to two main fights that will start in February 2027.

Published

on

Image: Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani Hits $30M Gate, 500K PPVs Early

Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue’s future plans are starting to take shape after promoter Hideyuki Ohashi revealed that a large fight is already planned for February 2027.

“Right now we’re working on the December pairing. Then next February, if I say there’s a large fight, you’ll probably know what I’m talking about. It’s already in the works. Then we’ll do another one in an amazing place,” Ohashi said to Yahoo Japan.

The comments included mentioning the opponent, but they will probably intensify speculation about the fight with Jesse Rodriguez. The undefeated American recently moved up to bantamweight and won the WBA title with a victory over Antonio Vargas.


Rodriguez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, has indicated that the plan is for Rodriguez to have one more fight before moving up to super bantamweight. Potential bantamweight opponents include WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi and WBO titleholder Christian Medina, while Rodriguez is still looking for bigger opportunities.

While most of the attention will focus on the February schedule, Ohashi’s reference to another event in an “unusual location” suggests that discussions may already be underway about a second major appearance beyond the expected fight in early 2027.

Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani by unanimous decision in May at the Tokyo Dome, retaining his undisputed championship in a fight that attracted enormous attention across Japan. The victory improved his professional record to 31-0 and further strengthened his position as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

Ohashi’s latest comments represent the clearest indication yet that Inoue’s early 2027 schedule is already in the works, with plans moving beyond a single marquee event. Regardless of whether the February fight ultimately involves Rodriguez or another opponent, the promoter has made it clear that preparations are already underway for the next phase of Inoue’s career.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Naoya Inoue

Last updated: 23/06/2026 at 1:15

Continue Reading

Boxing

Shane Mosley predicts PM Marvin Hagler vs PM Canelo: ‘I think he’s going to get him’

Published

on

Shane Mosley predicts prime Marvin Hagler vs prime Canelo: “I think he’d get him”

Two-division world champion Shane Mosley predicted how the fantastic fight between Canelo Alvarez and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler would go.

Canelo ruled four weight classes, earning world honors between super welterweight and featherlight heavyweight and becoming the division’s first-ever undisputed champion in an iconic 11-month span.

The 35-year-old’s strength seemed to have waned recently, with him failing to win a single break since 2021. defeat to former lightweight champion Terence Crawford in his last fight.

That being said, his reputation will be able to be reclaimed in September when is fighting for the WBC super middleweight world title.

Still, as his career nears its final chapter, fans wonder where Canelo ranks among the greatest champions of his country, the contemporary era and of all time, wondering how he would fare against other iconic fighters in the division he ruled.

Speaking on Mi Gallo boxing podcasthosted by two-time middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado, Mosley selected middleweight fan favorite Hagler to emerge victorious in a fantastic fight against top-ranked Canelo.

“I think Marvin could get him.”

Hagler never boxed outside the middleweight division during his 67-fight career, reigning as undisputed champion for seven years and boasting the sixth-longest reign in division history; during this time he became notable for defeating Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns.

In total, Hagler won 62 of 67 professional fights, with his only three losses coming to Bobby Watts, Willie Monroe and Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as draws to Vito Antuofermo and Sugar Ray Searles.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending