The fight will mark a first under the Zuffa banner for both, representing a high-value matchup between two Ring-rated top 10 fighters at 200 pounds.

"With Zuffa there's no picking and choosing, you have to fight the guys also signed ... you can't hide behind promoters, belts, that's why I went with them because I knew this would bring me the best opportunities to get those big fights," Rozicki tells The Ring.

The Ring's No. 6-rated cruiserweight was more than happy to take to the road and face the former beltholder in the UK.

"I think it's gonna be a good fight, it's a good style matchup." he said.

"I'm very honored and happy to go over to the UK to fight, I know they have a great boxing base and they're very passionate fans. They're looking at me as the bad guy, or the villain in this fight and I oblige.

"We're preparing for a dog fight, we know what we're up against. I don't think he's fought anyone as hungry as I am. We know the only way I win this fight is if I stop him, that's the only plan now."

Although Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) will end a 14-month layoff this weekend, the 31-year-old Canadian isn't reading too much into that, having endured his own lengthy spell away after a biceps tear. He spent 15 months on the sidelines before it was business as usual, needing two rounds to stop Gerardo Mellado on March 7.

"Everybody handles it differently," he said. "For some people, it's good to have a break and for others it isn't, activity is better. I don't know what type of fighter Chris is and don't really care. I'm just focused on winning this fight."

Three Lions Promotions' chief Dan Otter is happy to work with Zuffa, progressing his fighter's career.

"It's brilliant to be working alongside Dana White and Zuffa Boxing to finally give Ryan the platform we've always known he deserves," said Otter. "We've invested years into building him for nights exactly like this, and now everything is lining up perfectly. "Ryan's already had two cracks at world titles, but this is the kind of occasion that changes everything — headlining in the UK, live on Sky Sports against a proven former world champion in Billam-Smith."

Otter stresses they aren't making the trip believing in anything other than victory.

"Let me tell you now, people are seriously underestimating Ryan," he continued.

"This is one of the most dangerous men in the cruiserweight division. He's coming to Bournemouth with bad intentions, I genuinely believe he's about to shock a lot of people and announce himself in a massive way on the world stage."

Billam-Smith, The Ring's No. 3-rated cruiserweight, won his first nine fights before a 10-round split decision loss to Richard Riakporhe. He rebounded from a career-first defeat strongly, collecting the British, Commonwealth and European titles before a 12-round majority decision win over Lawrence Okolie for WBO world honors in May 2023.

He retained the WBO crown twice, stopping teak-tough Mateusz Masternak and tactically disarming Riakporhe over 12 rounds to avenge defeat in a rematch six months later, before losing in a unification against Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024. His last appearance was a 12-round decision over Brandon Glanton last April.