Analysis
Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke - big fight predictions: Who will win key Copper Box clash as cruiserweights collide?
Chris Billam-Smith fights Cheavon Clarke in the headline event of Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday; Denzel Bentley meets Shane Mosley Jr with Da'Mazion Vanhouter and Sam Hickey in action; Watch Zuffa Boxing 12 from 7pm live on Sky Sports
Friday 6 November 2026 15:36, UK
Experts have their say ahead of Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
George Groves (former world champion)
Cheavon beat him as an amateur and he is a better boxer than Chris Billam-Smith. But I can't see him beating Chris Billam-Smith. Chris had a bit of time out of the ring after the Gilberto Ramirez fight. But I think through this period he's maybe just refreshed himself a little bit. I feel he's coming to this fight a little bit fresher than Chev Clarke.
It's a great fight. Chris is a bit of a nightmare to fight. He just keeps coming, you can be clearly outboxing him but he's just going to keep coming and maybe that's not what Chev needs right now.
Chev is fast, Chev's a really good boxer, he's got good handspeed, he's got good ring IQ and we know Chev can get up off the floor, he can dig deep when he has to. It's a really good interesting fight. I make Chris Billam-Smith the favourite but you still can't right off Cheavon Clarke.
Viddal Riley (European champion)
The fight is definitely more level than what we've seen and what people are saying. I think Chris gets the win but early on it's going to be extremely difficult for him. Chev's a very sharp, compact, accurate puncher, puts punches together and I think while Chris is trying to find his rhythm and get the timing and waiting for Chev to slow down, it's going to be hard for him.
From the halfway point when it turns more toe to toe, more of a war, it will lean into Chris' favour. So I think Chris will come out on a points decision victory.
Joshua Buatsi (world title challenger)
They boxed in the amateurs twice, Chev won both but as we know the amateurs is a sprint. A 10-round fight is more of a marathon. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out and who can do better over longer duration. Chris is a former world champion. He's shown he can operate at that level. What we've seen from Chev, he's shown something I think is very special. When he was down twice against Massey, he showed something that you can't teach, something that you have it in you or not and I think that will always carry him.
I back Chev to win, that's my guy hands down.
Dan Azeez (former European champion)
I'm going to go with Chris Billam-Smith. I think Chev is a great fighter, and fair play to him for getting off the canvas to beat Jack Massey. But Billam-Smith looks confident, and I think he might just be a little too sharp and tidy for Chev. That's my feeling, if I'm honest.
I think CBS maybe late stoppage.
Connal McDonald (Scottish champion)
Genuine 50-50 fight. I think Chris Billam-Smith's a great boxer but I think he gets dragged into brawls when he could probably box a bit more. I think this will probably be fight of the year because I think both guys will look at this as their ticket back straightaway to major honours and maybe even a chance at Jai Opetaia.
I would say Billam-Smith majority decision.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke tonight from 7pm live on Sky Sports.
