Billam-Smith to face Cheavon Clarke at Copper Box in rematch a decade on

Chris Billam-Smith will meet Cheavon Clarke in a rematch at London’s Copper Box on Saturday, offering the Englishman the chance to avenge their 2016 National Championships final meeting.

The pair first met in the final of the 2016 National Championships, where Clarke prevailed by decision. Clarke, 35, built a notable amateur career that included appearances at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, while Billam-Smith, 36, turned professional in 2017 and progressed to win British and European titles before becoming cruiserweight world champion in 2023.

On the opportunity to settle the score, Billam-Smith said: "Any competitor is going to want to get one back on someone," he told BBC Sport. "It wasn't a fight I was chasing but the fact I get the chance is just an added bonus and I think it's a great opportunity for me to do that for my younger self if nothing else."

As a professional, Billam-Smith has lost twice in 22 fights and spent 18 months as WBO cruiserweight world champion. His reign ended when he attempted to unify against WBA 'super' champion Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024 and he has stated he maintains an ambition to return to the highest level.

After the Ramirez defeat, Billam-Smith beat Brandon Glanton in April 2025, then signed with Zuffa Boxing and stopped Ryan Rozicki on his debut for the promotion in June. Those results formed part of his recent run of activity after the world title loss.

Billam-Smith said his move to Zuffa was partly motivated by the prospect of facing WBA 'regular' champion Jai Opetaia, who also moved to the promotion in January and has been a long-term target. "Opetaia is facing Deontay Wilder in December or David Benavidez in May so who knows, but it's a fight that makes sense with us both being at Zuffa," Billam-Smith said. "We all know how boxing works so it isn't as easy as win this one and then fight him. If it doesn't materialise then I'll just carry on my career as I have done. "Our timelines just haven't really matched up yet. If he fights Benavidez then to be honest I think Benavidez beats him so then that fight would be sort of dead in the water from my point of view, we'll see."

The scheduled meeting at London's Copper Box on Saturday is Billam-Smith's immediate next step as he pursues a return to the top tier of the sport.