Chris Billam-Smith will take on Cheavon Clarke in a 12-round cruiserweight showdown on November 7, with the bout headlining Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena in London. According to Ring Magazine, the card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with Paramount+ streaming the event across the United States and Canada.
The British rivals bring contrasting recent form to their meeting. Billam-Smith, who holds a record of 22-2 with 14 knockouts, is seeking to rebuild his path toward the summit of the cruiserweight division following his loss to Gilberto Ramirez. Clarke, standing at 12-2 with 9 knockouts, has surged into contention with an impressive comeback performance against Jack Massey in June, rising twice from the canvas to secure victory.
Billam-Smith headlined the Bournemouth event where Clarke earned his comeback win, delivering a fight-of-the-year contender against Ryan Rozicki. Those successive victories have set the stage for this collision between two of Britain's most prominent cruiserweights.
The pair share a storied amateur history that adds another layer to their professional encounter. A decade ago, competing as amateurs, Clarke defeated Billam-Smith in the national elite championship finals—a result that cost Billam-Smith a spot on Team GB, while Clarke went on to represent Britain at the Olympic Games. According to DAZN, Clarke holds two amateur victories over Billam-Smith, and the former world champion has expressed his desire to settle the score in their professional rematch.
Billam-Smith's professional career has been marked by significant achievements. He captured British, European and Commonwealth titles before dethroning Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium in his Bournemouth hometown to claim the WBO cruiserweight world championship. He subsequently defended his title against Mateusz Masternak and Richard Riakporhe before his unification defeat to Ramirez.
Clarke has also featured in action-packed encounters throughout his career. He knocked out Ellis Zorro to win the British championship and challenged for the European title, though he was edged out by unbeaten champion Leonardo Mosquea. Viddal Riley outpointed him at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Clarke's comeback victory over Massey restored his standing in the division.
Looking ahead, Billam-Smith has set his sights on bigger challenges. According to Sky Sports, the former champion has expressed his ambition to face cruiserweight leader Jai Opetaia in 2027 if he continues to win, making this November clash a crucial stepping stone in his comeback narrative.
Supporting card details
The undercard features several notable bouts. Lucas Roehrig, Zuffa's newest signee with a record of 9-0 (5), will face Scotland's Connal McDonald, 5-1 (1), in an eight-rounder. Scottish middleweight prospect Sam Hickey, 6-0 (3), and American heavyweight Da'Mazion Vanhouter, 13-0 (10), will each face opponents to be named in eight-round contests. Vanhouter impressed on the Garcia versus Benn card earlier this month, demolishing Raphael Akpejiori in the opening round.
British light-heavyweight contender Zach Parker will clash with unbeaten puncher Umar Dzambekov. 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, who holds a record of 14-0 with 10 knockouts, 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, he delivered a devastating second-round knockout of Ahmed Elbiali on Zuffa Boxing 03.
What happens next
Additional information on the November 7 event will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans interested in attending can register their interest early via ZuffaBoxing.com for the best chance to secure tickets. The card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with Paramount+ providing coverage in North America.
