WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith is set for the biggest fight of his career on November 16, live on DAZN when he makes his Riyadh Season debut.
Billam-Smith will be facing WBA champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in a unification clash which he has been chasing for the past year.
While it may not be the trip stateside which Billam-Smith has been dreaming about, a unification fight in Riyadh, which is fast becoming the centre of the boxing world, is the next best thing.
But is Ramirez a viable alternative to Billam-Smith's original plans?
Ever since Jai Opetaia reclaimed his IBF cruiserweight title against Mairis Briedis in May, Billam-Smith made no secret that he wanted to face the Australian next.
Speaking to DAZN ahead of fight night, Billam-Smith explained why a deal between the two camps for a 2024 fight could not be made.
"Yes," Billam-Smith responded when asked whether a Ramirez fight is a good enough alternative to Opetaia.
"I was going to be ready in November or December, Opetaia offered me the fight, but I said November or December.
"He decided to fight Jack Massey, and I decided to unify."
Opetaia and Massey fought on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol last month which the IBF champion won by stoppage in the sixth round.
Watch Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith free on DAZN on Saturday
Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith and the whole undercard will be broadcast live and for free on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe.
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