Chris Billam-Smith stands to gain considerably from Oleksandr Usyk's emerging plan to make a comeback at cruiserweight before his career concludes.
The Ukrainian superstar, who held undisputed world championship status at cruiserweight before achieving the same distinction twice at heavyweight—with victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois among his résumé—is now exploring a return to the division where he first dominated. According to Sky Sports, Usyk's team has indicated serious consideration of this move.
Billam-Smith, the former WBO cruiserweight world champion, welcomes the prospect despite the complications it presents.
"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."
The most likely scenario would see Usyk target David Benavidez, the formidable cruiserweight champion holding both the WBA and WBO titles. Should that fight materialise, it would prevent Benavidez from facing Jai Opetaia, another elite competitor in the division.
Opetaia's path has shifted significantly. According to ESPN, the Australian is now booked to face Deontay Wilder at heavyweight on the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua card in December, rather than remaining at cruiserweight as previously expected. The undefeated Opetaia, who carries a record of 31-0 with 24 knockouts and has already fought twice in 2026, will be making his first major venture above the 200-pound limit.
This development opens a clearer pathway for Billam-Smith.
"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."
The Billam-Smith pathway to Usyk
If the pieces fall into place as Billam-Smith envisions, a meeting with Usyk could materialise further down the line.
"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 with optimism.
For now, Billam-Smith's immediate focus remains on Saturday's bout against Cheavon Clarke, live on Sky Sports. Victory there would position him to pursue the Opetaia fight—a contest he has long targeted. A win over Opetaia would elevate him to the summit of the cruiserweight rankings, from where a Usyk encounter becomes conceivable.
Billam-Smith acknowledges that Usyk would likely bypass any interim engagement.
"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.
"I think taking interim fight, especially dangerous ones, against me, he doesn't need to be doing."
Why Usyk is considering the move
The motivation behind Usyk's potential return to cruiserweight remains a subject of intrigue. Viddal Riley, the European cruiserweight champion, offered insight into the Ukrainian's mindset.
"Challenge. Purely challenge,"Riley told Sky Sports.
"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."
"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."Riley continued.
"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."
Despite his reservations about the risks involved, Riley acknowledged the broader benefits.
"But it's still good for me and the division because we get spoken about more."
Usyk has not fought since defeating Rico Verhoeven in May, leaving considerable time since his last ring appearance. His heavyweight reign has been marked by dominant performances, but the allure of proving himself once more at cruiserweight appears to hold genuine appeal.
What happens next
Billam-Smith's immediate task is Clarke this Saturday. Beyond that, the landscape depends on multiple outcomes. Wilder–Opetaia is scheduled for December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, as the co-main event on the Fury–Joshua card, streaming on Netflix. Should Opetaia emerge victorious and return to cruiserweight, or should Benavidez face Usyk as anticipated, the cruiserweight division will enter a new phase of competition with Billam-Smith positioned to capitalise on the shifting dynamics.
