Billam-Smith vs Clarke Prediction, Odds & Zuffa Boxing 12 Best Bets
By Jaren Kawada in Boxing
Published:
- Chris Billam-Smith and Cheavon Clarke headline Zuffa Boxing 12 at the Copper Box Arena in London
- Denzel Bentley makes his debut in the co-main event against Shane Mosley Jr.
- Check out the best analysis, predictions and bets for the top fights of Zuffa Boxing 12 below
In their second Zuffa Boxing appearances, Chris Billam-Smith (22-2) and Cheavon Clarke (12-2) headline the Copper Box Arena in London, England. The cruiserweights each seek their third consecutive victory in a competitive 200-pound division.
The 10-round main event is a rematch over a decade in the making, dating back to their initial meeting in the 2016 English National Championships Final. Clarke took that matchup by unanimous decision in a result that has stuck with Billam-Smith ever since.
The nine-fight card begins at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT, with the main card going live at 2 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
Zuffa Boxing 12 Odds
Odds as of Nov. 6, 2026, on bet365 Sportsbook. Check out the best boxing apps in 2026 to place a wager.
Billam-Smith’s -450 moneyline implies an 81.8% chance to win. Bold bettors can find the underdog Clarke at +300.
Hot American heavyweight prospect Da’Mazion Vanhouter is the biggest favorite on the card at a monstrous -6600 over journeyman Ivan Balaz. Scottish prospect Sam Hickey is also heavily chalked at -2000 over Amaury Massenaux.
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Cheavon Clarke Prediction
After beating two hard-nosed punchers, Chris Billam-Smith faces yet another in Cheavon Clarke. While typically the fighter walking forward and bringing the pressure, ‘CBS’ has shown an ability to be the superior boxer and win fights off his back foot in his recent outings.
The shorter Clarke is explosive and powerful, yet often predictable with his wild offense and basic defense. His approach got him in deep trouble in his last fight against Jack Massey, forcing him to dig deep and pull off a stunning late-round comeback knockout.
Clarke won the amateur matchup between these two cruiserweights in a fast-paced, three-round battle. But over 10 rounds, Billam-Smith has weathered the storm and owned the later rounds against gritty brawlers before, and he will do it again on Saturday night.
- Zuffa Boxing 12 Picks: Chris Billam-Smith by Decision (+175 on bet365)
Denzel Bentley vs. Shane Mosley Jr. Prediction
Although he has essentially fought just once in the last two years, Denzel Bentley is still at the peak of his career as he enters a new chapter with Zuffa Boxing. He faces a difficult introductory matchup against Shane Mosley Jr., but one that provides him with the opportunity to hit the ground running.
Both fighters are limited, but Bentley’s strengths as a counter-puncher align well with Mosley’s poor habit of over-extending punches with minimal head movement. Power, strength and athleticism all side with the former WBO middleweight champion, even if Mosley might be a tad faster.
While Bentley has disappointed in featured spots before, Mosley is a fairly limited boxer who took advantage of an overworked fighter to pull off a sizeable upset in his last outing. The 31-year-old’s precision and bigger combinations should give him the edge in a competitive bout.
- Zuffa Boxing 12 Picks: Denzel Bentley Moneyline (-163 on bet365)
Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs. Ivan Balaz Prediction
Ivan Balaz is a toughman-style heavyweight who once nearly pulled off a massive upset win over Johnny Fisher before falling apart at the seams shortly thereafter. That semi-impressive performance should give promoters some pause before booking him against their own prospect, yet he finds himself in the same spot against Da’Mazion Vanhouter.
Despite what he did against Fisher, Balaz does not match up with Vanhouter anywhere. Balaz’s cardio gives him just a few rounds to make an impact, but the athletic 21-year-old is one of the fastest starters in boxing. Vanhouter is fast, powerful and efficient, never wasting an opportunity to close the show.
The only concern for Vanhouter is the apparent arm injury he seemingly suffered in his last fight just two months ago. If that was any legitimate concern, Zuffa Boxing would not have unnecessarily rushed him back into this spot.
- Zuffa Boxing 12 Picks: Da’Mazion Vanhouter by KO/TKO
Sam Hickey vs. Amaury Massenaux Prediction
Sam Hickey is wasting no time in his first year with Zuffa Boxing, already returning for his third fight in five months. The 6-0 Scottish prospect has still yet to receive a step-up in competition as he continues to dominate the early portion of his pro career.
Hickey is far from perfect, but he is a gigantic middleweight with crisp hands and head movement. Although he raised some red flags getting caught by Brad Axe in his last fight, Amaury Massenaux’s 25 percent knockout rate poses no threat.
Massenaux goes from facing a pair of fighters with a combined record of 17-77-1 to one of the brightest prospects at 160 pounds, a division above his natural weight class. Hickey is poised for his fourth career knockout victory.
- Zuffa Boxing 12 Picks: Sam Hickey by KO/TKO
Zach Parker vs. Umar Dzambekov Prediction
One of the best matchups of Zuffa Boxing 12 comes early in the day, with the undefeated Umar Dzambekov facing recent title challenger Zach Parker on the prelims.
Parker is a stiff challenge for Dzambekov on paper and is coming off a very tight split decision loss to Joshua Buatsi. However, most of what gave him success against Buatsi plays into the fight Dzambekov wants.
Parker made Buatsi work with his stick-and-move game plan, forcing the slow-starting Buatsi to chase the scorecards. Yet, Dzambekov has substantially better footwork and boxing on the outside. Without much one-punch power, Parker’s lateral movement-based approach will be much more difficult to execute against the Russian.
Dzambekov is coming off back-to-back second-round knockouts, but he is no stranger to outboxing opponents over the course of a decision. Parker’s lone stoppage loss was due to a broken hand.
- Zuffa Boxing 12 Picks: Umar Dzambekov by Decision (+187 on bet365)
Jaren Kawada is a combat sports betting analyst for Sports Betting Dime, pairing his working knowledge as a former amateur boxer transitioning to MMA with his decade-long journalism experience. Jaren is also an avid and dedicated NFL, NBA and college sports handicapper.
