Chris Billam-Smith Tries to Get Win Back Against Old Foe
Growth and maturity hits everyone differently. Some people are world-class athletes at 16 but fall to capitalize on that potential. Others start slowly and peak later in life.
The match between English boxer Chris Billam-Smith, 33, and Richard Riakporhe, 34, will be a battle on June 15 between two men who fought each other on their way up the ranks. While Billam-Smith is now the WBO cruiserweight champion, Riakporhe has yet to hold a major world championship.
When the two men met in July 2019 at The O2 Arena in London, Riakporhe impressed the judges enough to come away with a split decision. Online boxing news shows that Riakporhe could be headed for a long-sought-after title if he can do the same thing against his old rival.
Riakporhe said in a press conference to promote the fight that he doesn’t want to let his supporters down.
“It’s going to be an incredible feeling to fight at Selhurst Park in front of the Palace fans and to be part of a special moment for the club celebrating 100 years since the stadium opened,” Riakporhe said. “I’m proud to be from South London and be affiliated with a club like Crystal Palace. The support of the club and the fans means everything to me. I’m going to repay that support with a devastating performance on June 15th.”
Billam-Smith Enters Fight Off Soft Performance
Billam-Smith broke through on the world stage in May 2023. During a fight with Lawrence Okolie in Bournemouth, England, Billam-Smith was able to put forth enough activity to pick up a majority decision win over Lawrence Okolie.
Billam-Smith has talked about having grand ambitions. Surprisingly, he said he would be interested in fighting Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is a former cruiserweight who has bumped up to heavyweight and beat Anthony Joshua to become a champion.
But Billam-Smith will need to keep his focus on the road ahead of him. The latest boxing news online shows some observers were disappointed with his first title defense against Mateusz Masternak last December.
Billam-Smith scored a stoppage when Masternak retired with two seconds left in the eighth round. Billam-Smith got cut after taking several sharp punches in the fourth round. Masternak gave Billam-Smith a real test before he was able to turn things around in the seventh round.
Billam-Smith Built Up Credentials on Amateur Circuit
Billam-Smith took a long road to professional success. His amateur career peaked in 2016 when he won the silver medal at heavyweight in the 2016 Liverpool English National Championships. Billam-Smith previously finished with the bronze medal at cruiserweight in 2012.
After turning professional, Billam-Smith won the first nine fights of his career. However, the latest boxing news shows that Billam-Smith would get tripped up by Riakporhe to momentarily set him back in a battle for the WBA Intercontinental cruiserweight title.
Billam-Smith would quickly seek regional championships again. To follow up his loss, Billam-Smith kicked off his current 10-fight winning streak with a fifth-round TKO win over Craig Glover to win the Commonwealth cruiserweight title.
Billam-Smith then built his reputation by smashing through five defenses of the commonwealth title. It took some time, but Billam-Smith finally got his opportunity at a world title when he fought Okolie.
Riakporhe Seeks a Second Win
Billam-Smith’s loss to Riakporhe was the only defeat of his career. Riakporhe, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, is undefeated in 17 professional fights. Over the past five fights, Riakporhe has turned in one of the most impressive stretches of his career.
Riakporhe has won his last five fights by KO or TKO. In November 2021, Riakporhe won the vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight championship with a fifth-round knockout. When Riakporhe and Billam-Smith first fought, they were on the undercard of a Dillian Whyte and Óscar Rivas fight card.
Riakporhe turned professional in 2016. He didn’t have a traditional career in boxing. Riakporhe didn’t start with the sport until he was 19. While he was starting with amateur boxing, Riakporhe went to Kingston University and earned a degree. During Riakporhe’s boxing debut, he picked up a four-round decision over Jason Jones in York Hall in London.
British Boxers Hope for a Big Crowd
Riakporhe has grand ambitions inside of the boxing ring. What may be more impressive about Riakporhe is his hopes outside of it as well. Riakporhe has been colorful in promoting the fight. He is hoping that Madonna may find her way to the arena.
During a press conference to promote the fight, Riakporhe was adamant that this fight would be similar to the first one.
“My time has come,” Riakporhe said. “The countdown is on. I’m the runaway ‘Midnight Train’ that you cannot stop, and it’s the end of the line for Chris Billam-Smith. I can’t wait to knock Chris out and take his title. I’ve beaten him once, and I’m ready to do it again. This time, it’s not going to the judges. He’s going to be out cold on the canvas, and the world title is going to be staying in South London.”
Billam-Smith, Riakporhe Both Have Similar Resumes
Both Billam-Smith and Riakporhe have collected 13 knockout victories during their career. Billam-Smith will be motivated to erase the only loss of his career.
Billam-Smith is determined not to let down his hometown crowd.
“I’m looking forward to giving the Bournemouth fans an away day to remember with an explosive performance, live on Sky Sports,” Billam-Smith said. “Richard is a good fighter, but I’ve improved hugely since we last met, and he’s going to be in for a terrible night at Selhurst Park. The WBO belt is coming back with me to Bournemouth.”
Both men are excited to have another opportunity to fight each other. This should be a fun scrap.
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By Dean McHugh.
