Chris Billam-Smith will take on Cheavon Clarke in a heavyweight cruiserweight clash on November 7, with the bout serving as the main event of Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena in London. The card will air live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while Paramount+ will broadcast the event across the United States and Canada.
The British rivals represent two of the most compelling forces in the cruiserweight division. Billam-Smith, who holds a record of 22-2 (14 KOs), is seeking to reclaim his position atop the weight class after his reign as WBO cruiserweight world champion. Clarke, standing at 12-2 (9 KOs), has surged into the upper reaches of the division following an impressive comeback victory over Jack Massey in June.
Billam-Smith's recent form has been exceptional. He headlined the June event in Bournemouth, where he produced a fight of the year contender against Ryan Rozicki. That triumph, combined with Clarke's stirring display against Massey, has set the stage for this collision.
The two fighters share a storied past that adds another layer of intrigue to their matchup. A decade ago, competing as amateur boxers, Clarke defeated Billam-Smith in the national elite championship finals. That loss cost Billam-Smith a place on Team GB, while Clarke went on to represent Britain at the Olympic Games.
Billam-Smith has since established himself as one of Britain's finest professional boxers. He captured British, European and Commonwealth titles before achieving his greatest triumph when he dethroned Lawrence Okolie on a memorable night at the Vitality Stadium in his Bournemouth hometown to claim the WBO cruiserweight world championship.
His reign saw him regularly feature in thrilling encounters. He made successful title defences against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe before suffering a fierce unification defeat to Gilberto Ramirez.
Clarke has also carved out a reputation for appearing in action-packed bouts. He knocked out Ellis Zorro to capture the British championship and subsequently challenged for the European title, though he fell short against unbeaten champion Leonardo Mosquea. A loss to Viddal Riley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium followed, but Clarke demonstrated his resilience by rising from the canvas twice to defeat Massey in his most recent outing.
Undercard Details
The supporting card features a host of emerging talent and established contenders. Zuffa's newest signee, rising cruiserweight Lucas Roehrig, 9-0 (5), will compete in an eight-round bout against Scotland's Connal McDonald, 5-1 (1).
Scottish middleweight prospect Sam Hickey, 6-0 (3), and American heavyweight destroyer Da'Mazion Vanhouter, 13-0 (10), will each face opponents to be named in eight-round contests. Vanhouter made a striking impression on the Garcia vs Benn card earlier this month, demolishing Raphael Akpejiori in the opening round.
British light-heavyweight contender Zach Parker will square off against unbeaten puncher Umar Dzambekov in a 10-round affair. Parker, 26-2 (18), a former British super-middleweight champion, makes his Zuffa Boxing debut following a controversial decision loss last November to Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi.
Dzambekov, 14-0 (10 KOs), is a southpaw knockout specialist who grew up in Austria and now trains out of Los Angeles. He has stopped five of his last six opponents, and in February delivered a devastating second-round knockout over Ahmed Elbiali on Zuffa Boxing 03.
About Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing is the new professional boxing promotion from TKO Group Holdings and Sela, with its numbered events streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. The promotion has established itself as a major force in the sport, with events regularly featuring top-tier talent and emerging prospects.
What Happens Next
Before Billam-Smith and Clarke meet in November, Zuffa Boxing 11 is scheduled for September 26, 2026 at the same Copper Box Arena venue, headlined by Johnny Fisher. Additional information regarding the Billam-Smith-Clarke card will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fans interested in attending are encouraged to register their interest early via ZuffaBoxing.com to secure the best chance of obtaining tickets.
