Newly crowned WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith has the ability to secure an immediate world title shot in the heavyweight division.
Pursuant to the rules of the World Boxing Organization, if a reigning world champion moves up in weight – he automatically becomes the mandatory challenger in the new weight class.
The current WBO world champion at heavyweight is Oleksandr Usyk, who next month will make a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois.
Usyk, a former undisputed champion at cruiserweight, is not a big heavyweight – which is why Billam-Smith would consider that scenario.
Billam-Smith admits that a heavyweight like WBC champion Tyson Fury is simply a step too far in size.
“We’ll see [regarding my next move at cruiserweight] or I’ll just move up and fight the Usyk vs Dubois winner as the mandatory for the WBO. The options are there, thankfully,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports.
“For me it’s very much about securing my son’s future financially. I mean Usyk’s a phenomenal fighter but he’s not a massive heavyweight. But if it was Tyson Fury, it’d be different. I’m also a fighter, I believe I’ll beat anyone and give anyone problems in any weight.”
Another goal for Billam-Smith is a rematch with the only man to beat him, Richard Riakporhe.
Riakporhe picked up a split-decision win over Billam-Smith back in 2019.
Their rematch could potentially play out as a world title unification.
Riakporhe is in line for a mandatory shot at IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
“It would be appealing, but I think there’s talk of him potentially fighting for a world title, so ideally, we unify against each other,” Billam-Smith said.
“I think the last all-British cruiserweight unification would have been Haye-Maccarinelli. I remember watching that fight when I’d probably been boxing a year, so to be involved in one like that would be monumental. It would be a great satisfaction to me to do that, and then win that fight and unify.”
Billam-Smith would like to return by the month of October.