Chris Billam-Smith could emerge as an unlikely beneficiary of Oleksandr Usyk's ambitious plan to return to the cruiserweight division before the end of his career. According to Sky Sports, the former WBO cruiserweight champion is already mapping out a potential path to face the Ukrainian great, though it remains a distant prospect dependent on several other results falling into place.
Usyk established himself as an undisputed world champion at cruiserweight before ascending to heavyweight, where he has defeated Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois among a stellar list of opponents. His team has now signalled that he intends to make a return to the cruiserweight ranks, a development that carries significant implications for the division's landscape.
A division elevated by Usyk's return
Billam-Smith welcomes the prospect of Usyk coming back down in weight, even if it temporarily displaces him in the world rankings.
Probably it's fair to say it knocks me down a spot in the world rankings!he told Sky Sports.
But it's also great for the division, a huge name for the division that really probably has been the face of boxing, definitely in terms of achievement.
According to Ring Magazine, Usyk's adviser has confirmed that the Ukrainian plans to pursue David Benavidez, the current WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion, and aims to become undisputed at the weight once again. Usyk has not fought at cruiserweight since stopping Tony Bellew in the eighth round in November 2018, making his return a significant undertaking after nearly six years away from the division.
The Benavidez factor and Billam-Smith's pathway
If Benavidez accepts a fight with Usyk, it would prevent him from facing Jai Opetaia, another elite cruiserweight contender. Opetaia is scheduled to challenge Deontay Wilder at heavyweight on December 11 in Cardiff, on the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua card, according to The New York Times. Once that heavyweight bout concludes, Opetaia would likely return to cruiserweight seeking an opponent, potentially opening the door for Billam-Smith.
The British fighter has long harboured ambitions of facing Opetaia and believes the Usyk scenario makes that matchup more achievable.
That definitely seems more doable now,he said.
I'm happy about that, because I think Benavidez would beat him and I always wanted to be the first man to beat Opetaia.
Would Usyk consider Billam-Smith as a comeback fight?
Theoretically, Usyk could use a bout against Billam-Smith as a warm-up to reacquaint himself with cruiserweight before stepping into the ring with Benavidez. A strong, aggressive former world champion like Billam-Smith would provide a credible interim opponent. However, Billam-Smith himself does not expect Usyk to take that route, particularly given the Ukrainian's stature and marketability.
I think the level he's been and the level he's at in terms of marketable fights, I think he'd go straight into a Benavidez fight, especially at his age now,Billam-Smith explained. He added with humour:
I think taking interim fight, especially dangerous ones, against me, he doesn't need to be doing.
Usyk's last outing came in May when he defeated Rico Verhoeven, meaning he has been inactive for several months heading into any potential cruiserweight return.
The dream scenario for Billam-Smith
Despite acknowledging the long odds, Billam-Smith is not ruling out a future encounter with Usyk. His pathway requires successive victories against formidable opponents.
Not next, maybe if he beats Benavidez, I beat Opetaia, that's a nice little southpaw to warm up with before I go in with Usyk,he said cheerfully.
First, however, Billam-Smith must dispatch Cheavon Clarke this Saturday in a 12-round cruiserweight showdown at London's Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports. Victory there would position him to pursue Opetaia next, and should he overcome that challenge, he would sit at the summit of the division.
Why is Usyk making this move?
The motivation behind Usyk's decision to return to cruiserweight remains a subject of intrigue. Viddal Riley, the European cruiserweight champion, offered his perspective to Sky Sports on the psychological drivers behind the move.
Challenge. Purely challenge,Riley said.
He keeps hearing: 'This guy's a monster, this guy's a monster' and then there's a part of him that just wants to show people: no, he's not a monster. I'm the guy. I've always been the guy.
Riley suggested that ego plays a significant role in Usyk's thinking.
I think it's a lot of ego involved and it could backfire. It could backfire. People don't really go to heavyweight, come back down and look the same.He expressed concern about established fighters attempting such moves late in their careers.
I don't like to see the greats and the OGs do things like that because you're letting the goalposts move and trying to keep up when you've achieved everything you need to achieve.
Yet Riley acknowledged the positive impact on his division.
But it's still good for me and the division because we get spoken about more.
What happens next
Billam-Smith and Clarke headline Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena on November 7. Meanwhile, Bad Left Hook reports that Benavidez is scheduled to fight Michal Cieslak for the WBC cruiserweight title on December 5, which could clear the path for a subsequent Usyk encounter should both fighters emerge victorious from their respective assignments.
