Chris Billam-Smith and Cheavon Clarke clash in an all-British cruiserweight contest at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
The Bournemouth boxer is a former WBO cruiserweight champion and the 36-year-old is eyeing a bout with 200lb king Jai Opetaia should he come through on Saturday night.
However, Opetaia looks set to move up to heavyweight and face Deontay Wilder, and Billam-Smith still has work to do against Clarke.
Chris Billam-Smith v Cheavon Clarke Preview
Former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith is hoping to get back in the big time when he takes on Cheavon Clarke in London on Saturday night.
The Bournemouth boxer won the WBO belt by beating British rival Lawrence Okolie in 2023 and the 36-year-old has proved himself at the top of the sport.
The Gentleman lost his title when comprehensively outpointed by Gilberto Ramirez two years ago and that was a gruelling defeat.
Billam-Smith absorbed plenty of punishment at the hands of Ramirez and it is a wonder as to how much the 36-year-old has left to give.
The Gentleman has got his career back on track with a pair of victories over limited duo Brandon Glanton and Ryan Rozicki. Billam-Smith wasn’t entirely convincing when landing a decision victory over Glanton and Rozicki is a low-level fighter.
The 36-year-old is targeting a bout with Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, but it would be unwise for the Bournemouth boxer to look beyond the capable Clarke.
C4 has lost two of his 14 career bouts and the Kent man had to get off the canvas twice when beating Jack Massey last time out.
However, the 35-year-old found a way to stop Massey, who has been 12 rounds with former heavyweight king Joseph Parker, and that rates decent form.
Viddal Riley and Leonardo Mosquea have both outpointed Clarke, but the loss against the talented Mosquea came in a closely fought contest.
Riley has not done much since beating C4 last year, but the Tottenham boxer may well be an elite-level performer and Clarke should not be judged too harshly on that loss.
Chris Billam-Smith v Cheavon Clarke Tale of the Tape
Chris Billam-Smith | Cheavon Clarke | |
Record: | 22-2 | 12-2 |
Age: | 36 | 35 |
Birthplace: | Epsom, UK | Montego Bay, Jamaica |
Height: | 6' 3" | 6' 2" |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Won (RTD) Ryan Rozicki (June 2026) | Loss (UD) Willy Hutchinson (Mar 2026) |
KO%: | 63.64 | 69.23 |
Chris Billam-Smith v Cheavon Clarke Top Tips
Cheavon Clarke to win @ 3/1
Cheavon Clarke is a 3/1 underdog when he meets Chris Billam-Smith at London’s Copper Box Arena and that price looks far too big.
Of course, Billam-Smith has the stronger form and deeper record, but there are plenty of miles on the 36-year-old’s clock and there are a number of reasons to think the Gentleman could be vulnerable in the capital.
The 36-year-old has absorbed plenty of punishment in bouts against Lawrence Okolie, Mateusz Masternak, Richard Riakporhe, Gilberto Ramirez and Brandon Glanton and those have been tough and drawn out battles.
It is difficult to think that there will be any improvement to come from the Bournemouth boxer at this stage of his career.
Billam-Smith has been cut over the eye in four of his last six bouts and it is clear that previous battles have left their mark.
Clarke has not achieved anywhere near what the former world champion has in his professional career, but the 35-year-old is a far fresher fighter with only 14 bouts on the record.
C4 twice beat Billam-Smith in the amateur ranks, and while the paid version of the sport is a different game, the Kent fighter can at least take confidence from those victories.
Clarke has losses to Viddal Riley and Leonardo Mosquea on his card, but Riley looks a top-level performer and C4’s battling stoppage win over Jack Massey last time out is good form.
The Jamaican-born boxer looks capable of outrunning his generous odds.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
