Billam-Smith Eyes Undisputed Title as He Prepares for April 26 Fight Against Brandon Glanton
Chris Billam-Smith is determined to achieve his dream of becoming the undisputed world champion, and he believes his defeat has only fueled his desire to get back to the top of boxing. The British cruiserweight, known as “The Gentleman,” saw his impressive 11-fight winning streak come to an end in November when he lost by unanimous decision to Gilberto Ramirez in a WBA and WBO unification clash in Riyadh.
Although the loss was a major setback in his pursuit of a showdown with Jai Opetaia, it hasn’t diminished Billam-Smith’s belief that he can still fight for and win the undisputed title. His next challenge is a fight against Brandon Glanton on April 26, as part of the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn undercard.
Billam-Smith’s Path to Undisputed Title: A Key Fight with Brandon Glanton
Billam-Smith, ranked No. 4 by the WBC, views his April 26 fight against Brandon Glanton, who is ranked No. 5, as a crucial step toward regaining his place in the title picture. “For me, it’s about doing a good job on April 26 and then we’ll see where we go from there,” Billam-Smith said.
He also expressed interest in fighting Badou Jack, the current WBC cruiserweight champion. Billam-Smith feels that Jack is reluctant to face him and is eager to prove himself as a top contender in the division. “I genuinely don’t think he wants to fight me. The way he has spoken in interviews and at the WBC convention when it was mentioned to him… I think I’m one of, if not the most relevant name in the division outside the champions,” said Billam-Smith.
The 32-year-old cruiserweight has established himself as a force in the division, defeating notable opponents such as Lawrence Okolie, Mateusz Masternak, and Richard Riakporhe—his only career loss—before running into the dominant Ramirez. Despite the setback, Billam-Smith is optimistic about regaining his title hopes.
Billam-Smith’s Vision: A Future Fight with Jai Opetaia for the Undisputed Crown
Looking forward, Billam-Smith remains focused on a potential fight with Jai Opetaia, the undefeated cruiserweight champion. “I beat Brandon Glanton, get my hands on the WBC belt (currently held by Badou Jack), and then Opetaia and Ramirez will likely fight,” Billam-Smith explained. “If Opetaia wins and I do what I need to do, then we could have an undisputed fight.”
Though there are several “ifs” involved, Billam-Smith is confident that his path to the undisputed title is still open, and he’s keeping his eyes on the short term, particularly the challenge posed by Glanton.
Defeat to Ramirez Only Makes Billam-Smith Hungrier
Despite his loss to Ramirez, Billam-Smith remains highly motivated and determined to continue climbing the ranks. “If something were to go wrong, I don’t think it would end my career,” he said. “My mindset isn’t that. I feel reinvigorated, with a fresh mentality. Every day in the gym, I’m not just turning up for sessions—I’m thinking outside the box and adding more to my game.”
Billam-Smith views his loss as a valuable learning experience, one that has reignited his hunger to succeed. “I feel like I’m a completely different person now. On the back of the loss, I’m more motivated, and I have a real hunger that I lacked a little bit before.”
Brandon Glanton: The Next Challenge for Billam-Smith
Glanton, who had made his presence known around the time of Billam-Smith’s fight with Okolie in May 2023, now gets his shot at the title. Billam-Smith, however, has a few words for his upcoming opponent: “He sounds like a trash-talking American. Somebody asked me what I thought of what he said, and I actually haven’t heard anything from him. Maybe he knew I’d beat Lawrence and wanted a shot at the title.”
Billam-Smith, never one to shy away from a challenge, finds himself motivated by Glanton’s confident trash-talking approach. “Nobody likes a bully!” he added, expressing his readiness for the challenge.
Upcoming Fight: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Brandon Glanton on April 26
Billam-Smith’s journey to the undisputed cruiserweight crown continues as he faces Brandon Glanton on April 26, under the high-profile Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn card. The fight is crucial for Billam-Smith’s aspirations to secure a world title shot, with his eyes set on a potential showdown for the undisputed title in the future.
