Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe II | Sky Sports - 15 June 2024

[Glass Joe]

Riakporke is allegedly dating Madonna

anything to get the views

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Richard Riakporhe says Chris Billam-Smith was a better fighter when they met five years ago

Richard Riakporhe claims he faced a better version of Chris Billam-Smith back in 2019 compared to the one he will challenge for a cruiserweight world title this Saturday.

'The Midnight Train' prevailed on that occasion, beating Billam-Smith in a split-decision victory that would go on to serve as a major talking point ahead of the pair's high-stakes rematch.

Billam-Smith has since gone on to defeat Lawrence Okolie to clinch the WBO belt, at which Riakporhe has earned a deserved shot by extending his perfect record to 17-0.

While the champion believes he arrives a vastly-improved fighter, Riakporhe is not convinced.

"I have to object because the way I see it, I have to look back at your fights and how you performed in the last three and you haven't won a lot of rounds in your last three fights," said Riakporhe.

"The reality is, the underlying issue is that you're deteriorating. And it's plain to see.

"You can smile and laugh about it, but it really is true. That's the talk around the town. That's what everybody has said.

"What I do believe in is what I can see and I've been at every single one of your fights and I believe when you boxed me, you were better. That's my honest opinion, you were better. Your footwork has slowed down, you don't move your head, you take too many shots."

Billam-Smith's last three fights have seen him defend his world title against Mateusz Masternak after an eighth-round retirement, having beaten Okolie by majority decision and knocked out Armend Xhoxhaj in the fifth round before then.

"You're going back to the Armend Xhoxhaj fight, that was five rounds and I won probably two or three of them," said Billam-Smith. "It's probably a draw going into the fifth round but I knocked him out.

"Then won the majority of the rounds and had three knockdowns against Lawrence. And against Masternak I was losing the fight and did the best job on him that anybody has ever done in one of my worst performances, that should be concerning for you.

"You're a more refined version now, but stylistically that's not good against me. You're better when you're more raw."

Riakporhe's primary strength comes in the form of elite power that has seen him cruise to 13 knockout victories in his career, with the south Londoner having previously suggested he would stop Billam-Smith within three rounds.

While his greatest weapon is no secret, Riakporhe believes he brings an art of unpredictability.

"Yeah, I'm still raw," said Riakporhe. "I'm still the same guy, I'm learning every single day. There's not a complete version of Richard Riakporhe.

"You don't know what's gonna come. That's what makes me even more dangerous. Because even I don't know.

"But we know what we're gonna get with you, Chris Billam-Smith. Your own fans, when I was ringside, they talk down on you. That's a reality."

Not once has Billam-Smith stopped to consider any lingering after-effects of his defeat to Riakporhe five years ago, nor does he plan to as he enters fight week.

He believes he is a significantly more dangerous proposition to the Billam-Smith of old. Even if his opponent does not.

"The outcome is irrelevant. If it was relevant, he should be the world champion going into this fight but he's not.

"We watched the highlights back the other day and, in stature, he hasn't really changed, whereas I look like a boy in there and about two stone lighter than I am now.

"I'm going to be a lot stronger and a lot more powerful come fight night. I'm also more experienced in every way - and just better.

"Me. It's night and day. He hasn't boxed at the level that I have yet."

Only 30 per cent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15.

[KiwiRider]

Can't wait, best card of the weekend.
I got CBS surviving the first 4 rounds and boxing his way to a close decision.
Probably way off

[samwbr]

Riakpore by UD.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'm going to this, can't wait!

[forcefraser]

CBS by stoppage

They guy facing Ben Whittaker is 12-0 with 10 ko. His opponents are not exactly top quality though.

Whittaker got hit a lot in his last fight. I might put a sneaky 10 spot on the other fella by KO. Think he`s 25 to 1 for the stoppage

[Kilburn]

The 4 fights at the top of the card could well go the distance. Some interesting match ups.

[Coco]

CBS by stoppage

They guy facing Ben Whittaker is 12-0 with 10 ko. His opponents are not exactly top quality though.

Whittaker got hit a lot in his last fight. I might put a sneaky 10 spot on the other fella by KO. Think he`s 25 to 1 for the stoppage

Winning 5 rounds to 3 against this guy

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/740870

who has been knocked out 6 times doesn't bode well.

I'd save your tenner, sure you can buy a cup of coffee with that where you live!

[Kilburn]

Yeah on reflection, Arenyeka might be a tad out of his depth.

[Twinkle Toes]

There is a little bit of footage on youtube of Arenyeka. He's going to have a tough night is my guess.

[SeanBrennan]

I think Whittaker will have zero trouble with this opponent, they've just tried to promote it with him being presented at the presser for the last fight. This will be less than an area title level challenge imo.

[Deserter]

Only 30 per cent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.

A distress signal hiding in plain sight. If even the promoter is admitting they haven't shifted 30% of tickets just days before the event you can probably safely assume it's closer to 50%+.

[TheLeprechaun]

I don't see how anyone can pick the wooden robotic CBS.

[Glass Joe]

I don't see how anyone can pick the wooden robotic CBS.

i want cbs to win but think Riak will stop him late his defence is awful and i think he probably on the slide as clean athlets around his age usually begin to slide. hopefully im wrong and CBS stops him.

[Glass Joe]

Only 30 per cent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.

A distress signal hiding in plain sight. If even the promoter is admitting they haven't shifted 30% of tickets just days before the event you can probably safely assume it's closer to 50%+.

this would have sold out at Bournemouth stadium but im pretty sure they couldnt get permission to host it.

[forcefraser]

CBS by stoppage

They guy facing Ben Whittaker is 12-0 with 10 ko. His opponents are not exactly top quality though.

Whittaker got hit a lot in his last fight. I might put a sneaky 10 spot on the other fella by KO. Think he`s 25 to 1 for the stoppage

Winning 5 rounds to 3 against this guy

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/740870

who has been knocked out 6 times doesn't bode well.

I'd save your tenner, sure you can buy a cup of coffee with that where you live!

It might get me a small Americano at best

[magnus]

Looking forward to this - the main and chief support are really well matched fights.

Whittaker can do one however. And there's no way his opponent talked himself into this fight, he's been cherry picked for his record to be sold as a dangerous KO merchant.

[cormack]

Riakporke is allegedly dating Madonna

anything to get the views

he is welcome to the welly top

[tony1234]

This has been overshadowed by football at the weekend but hopefully will be a decent scrap, wonder how many tickets are sold with a lot of football fans heading to Germany ?

[SeanBrennan]

I think Riakpohre stops CBS, I think Riakpohre will take over this division, he's had time out with Dillian fallout but is really good.

[rd350lc]

I think Riakpohre stops CBS, I think Riakpohre will take over this division, he's had time out with Dillian fallout but is really good.

You have him beating Opetia?

[rd350lc]

Only 30 per cent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.

A distress signal hiding in plain sight. If even the promoter is admitting they haven't shifted 30% of tickets just days before the event you can probably safely assume it's closer to 50%+.

Am I missing something?
Only 30% of tickets remain, meaning 70% had gone ??

[SeanBrennan]

I think Riakpohre stops CBS, I think Riakpohre will take over this division, he's had time out with Dillian fallout but is really good.

You have him beating Opetia?

I am making no predictions but if Breidis can have his jaw hanging on, Richard definitely can hurt him with his size. I think Richard can at least accomplish himself well at the highest level.

[tigermoth87]

Riakporhe wins

I like CBS but he is a one-dimensional plodder. He was behind vs C-Level Masternak, would have lost to Okolie were it not for knock downs, dropped rounds to shitty Xhoxhaj.

He can bang though. But he won't do enough to outpoint Riakporhe