Former WBO champ Chris Billam-Smith shares his opinion on the merit of Jake Paul's boxing rank, says if he can take a "shortcut", "credit to him"

Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith is sharing his opinion about Jake Paul's boxing rank.

As reported by DAZN, the YouTuber-turned-boxer ranked 14th at cruiserweight by the WBA last month, prompted by his victory against Julio César Chávez Jr. However, it was the WBC super middleweight champion's first match in four years, triggering droves to question Paul's win, which now clocks in at 12-1 (7 KOs).

During a recent interview with The Independent, Chris Billam-Smith, 34, was asked about Paul and his run for the cruiserweight title. He said he's not discontent with the YouTuber's ranking, but that he should have enough merit to back his ranking:

“I have no issue with him getting ranked,” he told the outlet. “Well, not no issue, but I just understand it. I have no issue with Jake Paul, because he's obviously going to want to maximise everything for him. If he can take a shortcut because of his name, and his fanbase, and the money he brings in, credit to him. He might not be there on a boxing level, but on a business level, he's done really well. So we've got to respect that. But I think there has to be some merit in ranking him."

Chris Billam-Smith went on,

“I know the WBO are kind of holding back on ranking him because they can't rank him on (the fact) he beat a career middle/super middleweight, who hasn’t boxed in years, in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. So it's a fine line between that.”

Chris Billam-Smith challenges Jake Paul to a bout in New York: Read more

Chris Billam-Smith, a Bournemouth, UK, native, is most known for having come out on top against Lawrence Okolie for the title a few years ago. However, just this past November, he lost it to WBA belt holder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez during their bout in Saudi Arabia.

He is currently dominating the WBO rankings, and ranks No. 4 by the WBC and IBF. He is ranked No. 9 by the WBA, and his wins are 21-2 (13 KOs). Chris Billam-Smith, who is currently waiting for a chance at another world title, told The Independent:

“Yeah - I spoke to certain governing bodies. Look, obviously they all want to rank him because the governing bodies get paid sanctioning fees, a percentage of purses. So at the end of the day, professional boxing is a business and I understand everyone's reasons for ranking him, but you have to hold some integrity."

Chris Billam-Smith went on,

“He has to build, he has to be a decent level cruiserweight before you can rank him in the top 15, which means he can get a title shot. That's my view. I think you need to hold some integrity. I understand people aren't going to agree with it, but that is the way the business is. So until the business changes from its roots, from where it is now, to a complete earning-your-right business, then we can't argue that. But there's a lot of fundamental changes that would need to happen for that to be the case.”

Chris Billam-Smith also acknowledged just why his American counterpart can get a shot at the championship title:

“At the moment, right now, I'd be disappointed in him getting a shot before me. Just because of who he’s boxed – he hasn’t beaten anyone, until he gets even a half-decent win, you can half-understand it and kind of meet in the middle of business and that. I understand it – I'm not naive enough. As much as it shouldn't be that way, I understand it is that way. So you can't be too crazy about it. But ideally I get myself a world title, and then he gets a good win under his belt, and then I get the payday!"

He continued to voice his frustration, though expressed understanding that that's the way things are supposed to be:

“But look, that's the way the business is and everyone's out for their own, to do the best for themselves. From the champions’ point of view, if they get matched against him, they’ve earned their right to take that shot," he said. “So as frustrating as it would be for me, you ask them and look at it from everyone else's point of view, why would they fight me who's a hard fighter, when they could probably have an easier fight for more money? In this business, it’s very unforgiving. It makes sense.”

A rendezvous between Jake Paul and Chris Billam-Smith, also known as 'The Gentleman,' has yet to happen. However, he echoed his sentiments during an interview with Boxing News earlier this month.

“I think the champions [Jai Opetaia and Ramirez] are chasing each other, but there’s also been talk of ‘Zurdo’ fighting Jake Paul, which I’d be pretty upset about,” he said. “I get that it’s a business, but there needs to be a level of integrity in the sport as well. You can’t beat a career middle and super-middleweight [Chavez] and then go straight into a world title fight. So it would be disappointing to see Jake Paul get a world title shot over me, especially when considering how hard I’ve worked to get here.”

Chris Billam-Smith then all but challenged Paul head-on to a duel:

“I’ll have my sparring stuff with me in New York,” he said, days ahead of IBF and WBO world champion Ellie Scotney's bout at Madison Square Garden. “So if [Paul] wants a spar, then he can test himself against a world class fighter. I’d be bang up for that, and it would be interesting to see the level that he’s at.”

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