Chris Billam-Smith headlines Zuffa Boxing's mammoth event in London this weekend as he faces off against Cheavon Clarke! The former WBO cruiserweight champion is out for revenge against Clarke, who beat him twice when the pair were amateurs. Billam-Smith has admitted that he still thinks about those two losses, one of them coming in the 2016 national elite championships final, and that he is looking to get back at the 35-year-old.
He lost his cruiserweight crown in 2024 with a unanimous decision loss to Gilberto Ramirez, but could earn another title shot with a statement win over his old foe. Both men last fought on the same bill in June, where Billam-Smith beat Ryan Rozicki in a bloody seven-round battle in his hometown of Bournemouth. The Gravesend puncher also won that night, twice getting up from the canvas to stop Jack Massey in a thrilling fight.
When is Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke?
- Billam-Smith and Clarke will go to war on Saturday, November 7.
- Ring-walk times for the main event have not yet been confirmed, but the main card will get underway at 7pm GMT.
- London's Copper Box Arena will host all of the action.
Fans planning to attend the venue in person should note the schedule carefully, as doors open well in advance of the opening preliminary bouts. The atmosphere inside the arena promises to be intense as two of Britain's top cruiserweight contenders collide in the capital. Local transport links around the venue will be busy, so spectators are advised to arrive early to avoid missing any of the undercard fights.
How to watch Billam-Smith vs Clarke
The entire card will be broadcast on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports+, while Sky Sports Main Event will show the main event from 10pm GMT. For fans looking to stream the action, it will be shown on the Sky Sports app and website, as well as NOW TV. Alternatively, you can follow round-by-round updates through SunSport's live blog.
Viewers watching from home have multiple ways to access the coverage depending on their subscription packages. Digital streaming options allow supporters to follow the fights on mobile devices, tablets, and smart televisions. The broadcaster will provide extensive studio analysis alongside the live commentary team throughout the evening.
Amateur Rivalry and Professional Stakes
The history between Billam-Smith and Clarke adds a layer of personal animosity to this professional encounter. Amateur bouts often lay the groundwork for future professional grudge matches, and this pairing is a prime example. Meeting in the 2016 national elite championships final was a major moment in their early careers, and Clarke emerged victorious on that occasion alongside another amateur win. Billam-Smith has carried the memory of those defeats for years, making this upcoming bout much more than a routine ranking fight.
Defeating Clarke would provide psychological closure for the former champion while simultaneously pushing him back toward the top of the division. Boxing careers often hinge on rematches of this nature, where narrative and sporting merit align perfectly. Both athletes have evolved significantly since their days in the amateur vest, trading raw speed for professional power and ring IQ.
Navigating the Cruiserweight Division
The cruiserweight division remains one of the most competitive weight classes in British and international boxing. Billam-Smith held the WBO title before his 2024 setback against Gilberto Ramirez, where he dropped a unanimous decision in a tough unification battle. Bouncing back from that defeat requires facing high level opposition, and taking on an undefeated or dangerous domestic rival like Clarke fits that requirement. A loss would push Billam-Smith back in the title queue, while a victory reasserts his status as a world class operator.
For Clarke, this represents the biggest assignment of his professional journey so far. Known for his resilience, demonstrated when he twice got up from the canvas to stop Jack Massey during their June encounter, Clarke possesses the toughness required to compete at the elite level. The Gravesend puncher enters the ring with momentum and an opportunity to seize the spotlight on a major platform.
Billam-Smith vs Clarke undercard
- Main event: Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke - cruiserweight
- Denzel Bentley vs Shane Mosley Jr - middleweight
- Damazion Vanhouter vs Ivan Balaz - heavyweight
- Sam Hickey vs Troy Coleman - middleweight
- Kayla Allen vs Julia Igel - light-welterweight
- Lucas Roehrig vs Connal McDonald - cruiserweight
The supporting lineup features an array of domestic and international talent designed to test rising prospects and deliver action from the first bell. Middleweights Denzel Bentley and Shane Mosley Jr provide a strong co-feature with serious global implications. Heavyweights Damazion Vanhouter and Ivan Balaz bring the knockout threat in the big man division, while amateur standouts and developmental prospects fill out the early portions of the card.
Wider Boxing Schedule for November and December
There is a massive year of boxing ahead! It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon! All eyes are focused on the Battle of Britain between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with the pair set to finally settle their decade-long rivalry in December. Here is all the big fights coming up across the winter months.
November
- Sat 7 - Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson 2 - DAZN
- Sat 7 - Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke - Sky Sports
- Sat 28 - Agit Kabayel vs Nelson Hysa - DAZN
December
- Dec 5 - David Benavidez vs Michal Cieslak - DAZN
- Fri 11 - Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua - Netflix
- Sat 12 - Dmitry Bivol vs Callum Smith - DAZN
- Sat 19 - Anthony Cacace vs Nick Ball - DAZN
- Sat 24 - Jake Paul vs Cedric Doumbe
Fans of combat sports have a packed calendar to enjoy as the year draws to a close. Broadcasters and streaming services are delivering high profile matchups nearly every weekend. From domestic grudge matches to global heavyweight showdowns, the schedule offers non-stop entertainment for enthusiasts following the sport globally.
