Billam-Smith wants the big fights at cruiserweight

Chris Billam-Smith previously held the WBO world cruiserweight title

Former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith says that a break from boxing has "reignited a new flame" in him as he eyes a return to action with world title fights on his mind.

The 35-year-old has only fought once since his world unification defeat to Gilberto Ramirez a year ago in Saudi Arabia.

That was a points victory over American Brandon Glanton in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

'The Gentleman' - as Billam-Smith is known - is looking to return to action early next year and still has eyes for the big names at the very top of the cruiserweight division.

Although it would be unlikely to come immediately next, unbeaten IBF champion Jai Opetaia and Ramirez who holds the WBO and WBA belts are champions that he still has his eyes on.

"I'm excited for the next stage of my career as I know what I'm capable of," Billam-Smith told BBC Sport.

"I'm highly ranked, if we could get a world title or the Opetaia fight on then we can look at Zurdo [Ramirez] rematches or and see what happens with the WBC belt.

"The goal for me hasn't changed since before the Zurdo fight and that is to become undisputed at cruiserweight."

The Bournemouth fighter has 21 wins to his name and previously picked up the British, Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles on his way to winning a world title in his hometown back in 2023.

Lessons learnt and important family time

Billam-Smith says he is grateful for the experience he gained in fighting Ramirez

Losing to Ramirez in Saudi Arabia was just the second defeat of Billam-Smith's career having previously avenged his other loss to Richard Riakporhe.

He travelled to the Middle East last November to face the Mexican who has only ever been beaten by pound-for-pound star and 175lbs world champion Dmitry Bivol.

Ramirez proved to be too good for Billam-Smith on the night as he came out on top in a gruelling 12-round contest to add the WBO title to his WBA belt.

But despite falling short on the very biggest of stages, Billam-Smith said that one year on from the fight he was glad he went through the experience.

"I'm so grateful for it in a strange way," Billam-Smith added.

"I think going into this next year now the experience will really benefit me, obviously I wanted to win that fight but there's plenty positives to take out of the defeat.

"I've had to definitely polish up my skills and think about not just playing to my strengths the whole time, they're not always gonna work especially at a top level against a super-skilled fighter like Zurdo and Opetaia."

Billam-Smith admitted that over the past few years, balancing boxing with family time has been a tough challenge.

He and his wife Mia are parents to two young boys and live in Chris' hometown of Bournemouth.

The former cruiserweight champion has previously admitted that he does not have "ages left in the game" at this stage of his career, and after a break to reconnect with his loved ones, he feels ready to pursue whatever may be in store for this next chapter.

"Time off has done me good and I think it's kind of reignited a new flame and a motivation," Billam-Smith said.

"I wasn't enjoying boxing in the camp before the Glanton fight, maybe because of the loss to Zurdo and being away from home so much.

"I've had a good stint now where I've been out to spend a lot of time at home and be present since my second son was born and now I feel like I've flipped things round and I can really switch on and go for undisputed."