Chris Billam-Smith is set to face Ryan Rozicki June 6th

Chris Billam-Smith is set to face Ryan Rozicki in a 10-round cruiserweight clash as Zuffa Boxing makes its debut on British soil June 6, the promotion announced Wednesday.

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) vs. Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KOs) brings together two of The Ring’s top-five cruiserweights in a compelling main event at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Both fighters recently signed multi-fight deals with Zuffa, entering a landscape currently ruled by Ring champion Jai Opetaia, who captured the promotion’s inaugural title with a dominant win over Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas on March 8.

Billam-Smith, ranked No. 2 by The Ring, trails only Opetaia and Gilberto Ramirez—who edged him in a hard-fought WBO/WBA unification bout in November 2024. Rozicki sits at No. 5 in the division.

The Bournemouth native has turned the BIC into home turf over the years, building momentum under BOXXER before capturing WBO gold against Lawrence Okolie in 2023. Along the way, he earned gritty victories over Isaac Chamberlain, Armend Xhoxhaj, and Mateusz Masternak during a dominant run on the south coast.

After outworking Brandon Glanton for a wide decision win, Billam-Smith now returns home following a year-long layoff—this time under the lights with Sky Sports.

“This is a huge opportunity for me back in front of my amazing supporters,” said the 35-year-old. “Sky Sports knows how special these Bournemouth nights are. Zuffa Boxing is about real fights, and that’s exactly what Rozicki brings.”

Rozicki, 31, comes in off a second-round stoppage of Gerardo Mellado after returning from injury, and he’s confident heading into hostile territory.

“It’s a tough fight—that’s what I wanted when I signed with Zuffa,” Rozicki said. “I respect what he brings, but he hasn’t faced someone like me. I’ll be ready. The fans are getting a real fight.”

The bout headlines Zuffa’s first event outside the U.S., streaming on Sky Sports in the UK and Paramount+ across the U.S. and Canada.