Rivalry

Billam-Smith has lost twice in 22 fights as a professional and enjoyed an 18-month stint as WBO cruiserweight world champion.

His reign came to an end when attempting to unify against WBA ‘super’ champion Gilberto Ramirez in November 2024, but Billam-Smith maintains an ambition to return to the highest level.

After bouncing back to beat Brandon Glanton in April 2025, Billam-Smith signed with Zuffa Boxing and stopped Ryan Rozicki on his debut in June.

Billam-Smith’s decision to join the Zuffa Boxing ranks was partly motivated by the possibility of facing WBA ‘regular’ champion Jai Opetaia.

Australia’s Opetaia, who also moved to the promotion in January, has been a long-term target for the Englishman.

Hopes of earning a shot at the 31-year-old appear more distant than ever, though, with Opetaia moving up to heavyweight to face Deontay Wilder on the Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua undercard on 11 December.

“Opetaia is facing Deontay Wilder in December or David Benavidez in May so who knows, but it’s a fight that makes sense with us both being at Zuffa,” Billam-Smith said.

“We all know how boxing works so it isn’t as easy as win this one and then fight him. If it doesn’t materialise then I’ll just carry on my career as I have done.

“Our timelines just haven’t really matched up yet. If he fights Benavidez then to be honest I think Benavidez beats him so then that fight would be sort of dead in the water from my point of view, we’ll see.”

“Heated Rivalry” will soon steam up a movie theater near you. Special Season 1 marathon screenings will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the smash sports romance series that set HBO Max ablaze last November.

Three sets of paired episodes will screen Nov. 6-30 in more than 650 theaters around the world (in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand): over 275 Regal theaters and 375 others, including AMC and Cinemark locations, distributor Sphere Abacus announced Thursday.

Tickets will cost $9.99 per screening, and Regal showings will include filmed greetings from the cast and show creator-writer-director Jacob Tierney. (The show is based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Reid.) Advanced tickets are available now at Regal (showtimes: Episodes 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6).

”Heated Rivalry” is a global phenomenon creating a rush of social media and press activity wherever it lands. We’re very excited to give audiences the opportunity to watch the drama unfold on big screens,” Hana Palmer, Sphere Abacus’ executive director of global distribution and partnerships, said in a statement.

For a limited time, participating locations will offer themed cocktails, including “Summer in Montreal” and “Russians Don’t Blush.” Shane (Hudson Williams) plays for the fictional Montreal Metros hockey team; although Shane’s cottage, where Ilya (Connor Storrie) agrees to spend the summer, is technically in Lanaudière, Québec, two hours outside of Ottawa.

Ilya, a gruff Russian from Moscow, is a fellow professional hockey player for the fictional Boston Raiders. The latter cocktail references a scene in the Raiders’ locker room: One of Ilya’s teammates sees him secretly texting Shane. “You’re straight up blushing,” he tells him. “Never in life have I blushed,” Ilya snaps back. “Russians do not do this.”

“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov.

(Sabrina Lantos / HBO)

“When a series connects with audiences the way ‘Heated Rivalry’ has, we look for ways to bring it to the big screen and give fans a reason to experience it together,” Regal’s SVP of U.S. content Brooks LeBoeuf said. “Nearly a year after its premiere, we’re proud to work with our partners to turn a season fans have watched again and again into a true theatrical event. It’s a chance to celebrate the story, its creators, and its performances before Season 2 arrives in 2027.”

Filming and production are still underway on Season 2, which is slated for release in spring 2027 on Crave and HBO Max.