Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) and Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KOs) meet at Bournemouth International Centre live on Sky Sports this weekend in what is the first ever Zuffa Boxing event on British soil.

It will be the Englishman’s first outing since he outpointed Brandon Glanton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April last year and the opening fight of his new deal with Zuffa.

Now his trainer McGuigan says an eye-catching victory will open the door to a crack at Ring Magazine cruiserweight king Opetaia, another star Zuffa signing, before 2026 is out.

McGuigan told The Ring: “The Opetaia fight is all part of the deal with Zuffa. The most important thing when you’re both part of the same organisation is transparency.

“So we know that if Chris beats Rozicki he could well fight Opetaia in his next fight. I’d love it if we got it over here but it’s a fight that could happen in the States.

“But you never know. Maybe it could work over here as a double headliner with Conor Benn in the other one or something like that. There’s potential for a lot of things to come for Chris but the most important thing is winning here, winning well and making a statement.”

Former world champion Billam-Smith lost his WBO title in a unification with WBA titlist Gilberto Ramirez in November 24. He returned to winning ways against Glanton but the 35-year-old insisted he was not prepared to rush his next move.

But he eventually decided to align himself with Zuffa and McGuigan says Team CBS hand-picked Rozicki in order to ensure an exciting first fight under the new banner.

He added: “Chris has got an opportunity to showcase himself to Zuffa as the entertainer that we all know he is. They come from a UFC background where they like people to go for it.

“They don’t want people to stand back and have a fencing match, they want a raucous crowd and an exciting fight. That’s what they are going to get with Chris in Bournemouth.

“We looked around and we thought Rozicki is tailor-made for that. Let’s get this guy. It’s like throwing a grenade around and wondering if it’s going to go off or not but I know Chris and I know he switches on when he’s in danger.

“Rozicki is a puncher and when Chris has that little fear factor, that’s when you see the best of him.”