Billam-Smith And Riakporhe Face-Off At The Final Presser
The final pre-fight presser for the Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe rematch took place ahead of their WBO Cruiserweight Title clash on Saturday.
Riakporhe won their 2019 clash via a split decision to give Billam-Smith the first defeat of his career. However, Billam-Smith arrives in the bout as the champion. Since his defeat, he has won ten in a row. He secured the belt with a win over Lawrence Okolie last year in his hometown of Bournemouth. He will fight in front of Riakporhe’s fans at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium this time.
Billam-Smith must perform better than in his last fight. He was well below his best but got the win after Mateusz Masternak retired with a rib injury. Riakporhe is undefeated in his 17 fights, with 13 stoppages. He has five stoppage wins in a row. He defeated Dylan Bregeon in his last fight. A win gives him his first world title, and as the home fighter, he will have plenty of motivation behind him.
Pre-Fight Comments
“That’s even more motivation [to beat Chris Billam-Smith]. I want to mix it with the biggest names in the division and there is a big opportunity for me right now. I’ve put extra pressure on myself and I think it’s a really good time for me and everyone as boxers really. But it’s really a a special time for me at cruiserweight.
“I think it’s going to end in a technical knockout. The way I’ve been performing in camp and my career so far, I feel like I’m punching really hard and I know what I’m doing. I know how to take these guys out, which is the way I’m doing it. [And] I feel like with CBS, it’s just a matter of time before I get to him,” Riakporhe said
“I see me getting the job done inside the distance 100 per cent. I think it is too big a step for him. His last fight was in a small arena, he hasn’t headlined in a while so it’s a massive step, the levels in ability is a huge step as well.
“Absolutely, I think I’ll be underdog again, it’s never affected me, I love being the underdog, I just focus on me and do what I’ve got to do. I think there’s much more motivation this fight for me, the venue being away is added motivation. I’m pleased it’s here, I’d prefer it’s here than the Vitality, this is a new dream, another Premier League stadium. I wanted to play in the Premier League, but that was never the route, here I am fighting in their stadiums instead,” Billam-Smith
Presser
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