‘It’s all part of the deal’: Shane McGuigan on the huge fight awaiting Chris Billam-Smith

On June 6, at the Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki headlines the Zuffa Boxing 07 fight card, live on Paramount+ for fight fans in the US, and Sky Sports for those in the UK. The main event will take place in the cruiserweight division. Billam-Smith’s trainer, Shane McGuigan, has spoken to The Ring, revealing a big fight awaiting the Brit that’s “all part of the deal with Zuffa.”

Chris Billam-Smith faces Ryan Rozicki on June 6

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) has undoubtedly mixed at a higher level than Rozicki, facing Gilberto Ramirez, Mateusz Masternak, and Lawrence Okolie, among others. Last time out, the Brit defeated Brandon Glanton. The fight with Rozicki will mark more than one year out of the ring for Billam-Smith, and it’s imperative that he stays active under the Zuffa banner.

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KOs) is tough, there’s no doubting that. He has suffered from injuries in recent years, but did fight earlier this year, stopping Gerardo Mellado.

Shane McGuigan teases potential big fight for Chris Billam-Smith

Zuffa Boxing has shown a key interest in signing some top cruiserweights, and aside from Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki, they also have Ring Magazine cruiserweight king Opetaia. Speaking to The Ring, McGuigan revealed Billam-Smith-Opetaia could happen soon: “The Opetaia fight is all part of the deal with Zuffa. The most important thing when you’re both part of the same organisation is transparency.

“So we know that if Chris beats Rozicki he could well fight Opetaia in his next fight. I’d love it if we got it over here but it’s a fight that could happen in the States.

“But you never know. Maybe it could work over here as a double headliner with Conor Benn in the other one or something like that. There’s potential for a lot of things to come for Chris but the most important thing is winning here, winning well and making a statement.”

Teasing an all-action fight with Rozicki, McGuigan said:

“Chris has got an opportunity to showcase himself to Zuffa as the entertainer that we all know he is. They come from a UFC background where they like people to go for it. 

“They don’t want people to stand back and have a fencing match, they want a raucous crowd and an exciting fight. That’s what they are going to get with Chris in Bournemouth.

“We looked around and we thought Rozicki is tailor-made for that. Let’s get this guy. It’s like throwing a grenade around and wondering if it’s going to go off or not but I know Chris and I know he switches on when he’s in danger. 

“Rozicki is a puncher and when Chris has that little fear factor, that’s when you see the best of him.”

Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki full fight card

• Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki, 10 rounds, cruiserweights
• Jack Massey vs Cheavon Clarke, 10 rounds, cruiserweights
• Lee Cutler vs Aaron Sutton, 10 rounds, middleweights
• Stevie McKenna vs Casey Streeter, 8 rounds, middleweights
• Sam Hickey vs Todd Tompkins, 6 rounds, middleweights
• Harvey Dykes vs Ivan Dychko, 10 rounds, heavyweights
• Leon Hughes vs Mario Vergiev, 6 rounds, light heavyweights
• Alex MacMillan vs Tyler Rivers, 6 rounds, welterweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.

Featured Image Credit:

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions