Chris Billam-Smith will face Cheavon Clarke at Zuffa Boxing’s first London event on November 7th at the Copper Box Arena. The former amateur rivals meet after Billam-Smith’s reign as WBO cruiserweight champion ended, and Clarke’s comeback from a recent knockdown.
Billam-Smith (22-2, 14 KOs) lost the WBO cruiserweight title to “Zurdo” Ramirez but showed no signs of decline after a dominant win over Ryan Rozicki in June. At 36, “The Gentleman” remains a strong presence in the 200-pound division, even if he isn’t generally seen in the same tier as Zuffa stablemates Jai Opetaia or David Benavidez.
Clarke (12-2, 9 KOs) started his pro career late and has had to accelerate his rise through the ranks. His progress stalled after a knockdown by Jack Massey at Zuffa 7, but he recovered with a comeback finish that kept his hopes alive. Clarke holds two amateur wins over Billam-Smith, adding an intriguing layer to their professional clash.
The fight will headline Zuffa Boxing 12, marking the promotion’s first show in London. The venue, Copper Box Arena, has hosted various combat sports events but this will be a fresh stage for Zuffa’s cruiserweight matchup.
The undercard includes a light heavyweight bout between Zach Parker (26-2, 18 KOs) and Umar Dzambekov (14-0, 10 KOs). Parker, who lost a close decision to Joshua Buatsi last November, looks to rebound against Dzambekov, an undefeated amateur standout who recently dispatched Ahmed Elbiali in two rounds.
Billam-Smith’s career profile has shifted since losing the WBO title, but his recent performance against Rozicki showed he is far from done. Clarke’s trajectory has been less consistent but his amateur success against Billam-Smith and resilience after setbacks add interest to the contest.
The November 7th event will test both fighters’ claims in a division where momentum and experience often dictate opportunities. The gathering in London signals Zuffa’s intent to expand its footprint while delivering competitive matchups.
Tickets and further details for Zuffa Boxing 12 have been confirmed for the Copper Box Arena, with Billam-Smith versus Clarke as the main event.
According to Yahoo Sports.