Cruiserweight contender Chris Billam-Smith 16-1 (11) has ruled out ever fighting WBO champion Lawrence Okolie 18-0 (14).
The reason why is simple. They are both trained by Shane McGuigan.
“Me and Lawrence, we got asked a few years ago about it. But we are friends now and we have both said that fight will never happen,” Billam-Smith said to Metro.co.uk.
“We are in the same gym to start with, one of us wouldn’t have a coach in the corner. I think Lawrence’s plan is to unify and then move up. I have my own plans.”
If the 32-year-old Brit wants to fulfill his championship ambitions, he will need to target WBC boss Ilunga Makabu 29-2 (25) or WBA kingpin Arsen Goulamirian 26-0 (18).
Another option could be newly-minted IBF champion Jai Opetaia 22-0 (17). The 27-year-old Australian southpaw overcame two fractures to his jaw to wrest the title from the number one cruiserweight in the world Mairis Briedis 28-2 (20) by unanimous decision last month.
Opetaia’s promoter Dean Lonergan was ringside for Billam-Smith’s points win over Isaac Chamberlain 14-2 (8) in Bournemouth, England last Saturday.
“Both these guys make a very good opponent for Jai in the very near future,” Lonergan said. “I imagine Jai is watching this fight and fascinated to hear the outcome. At the end of the day, we don’t have a mandatory and can pick whoever we want to fight – and I’m really impressed on what I’ve seen tonight.
“If everything works, we would come up here in a heartbeat… we are talking to the right people so let’s see what happens.”
One other potential opponent is Richard Riakporhe 15-0 (11), who holds a split decision win over Billam-Smith from three years ago.
“Lawrence is a stablemate so I won’t be fighting him. With Makabu and Goulamirian, I’m not sure what will happen with them. It’s a bit crazy but hopefully we will know a little more soon,” Billam-Smith said.
“And of course there is the possibility of a rematch to avenge his 2019 decision loss to Richard Riakporhe.
“The rematch will always be talked about because it was such a close fight and because of what I have done since.
“I think if we keep winning then that fight makes sense for a world title. A domestic clash, it is exactly what makes sense. If it happens, it will have to have a world title on the line, be it a vacant one or if one of us goes and claims one first. It is one I would like to happen but I don’t sit and dwell on it and it won’t define my career.”
