WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billiam-Smith, 19-1 (13 KOs), is set to defend his title when he goes up against Richard Riakporhe, 17-0 (13 KOs), in June. Billiam-Smith had a successful title defense back in December when he defeated Mateusz Masternak in the eighth round of their bout. Now, he is ready for a second title defense, and it would be in the hands of someone he has met before.
The two first met in 2019, and Riakporhe, then the WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title holder, went home to be the victor after winning via split decision. Many fights and five years later, we would see the two slug it out again, and this time, the WBO title is on the line.
The loss to Riakporhe is Billiam-Smith’s only career defeat to this day. However, he believes he has come a long way since then and will win the fixture the next they see. Speaking about it, he 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.”
Quite a bold claim to make, but it looks like something the champion can back up. He’s had a wonderful career since the loss, leading him to defeat Lawrence Okolie last May for the WBO cruiserweight title.
But Riakporhe is also a boxer anyone would be wary of. With no losses from 17 fights, he’s one of the best in the cruiserweight division and has everything but the title, which makes the fight in June very special as it would give him the chance to get something he has wanted for most of his career.
As he remarked: “My time has come. 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.”
Undoubtedly one of the biggest fixtures in the cruiserweight title this year, the outcome of the Billiam-Smith vs. Riakporhe bout will shake things up in the division.
Leon Osamor
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