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

[Glass Joe]

Billam-Smith Set To Make Second WBO Title Defense Against Old Foe Riakporhe On June 15

Chris Billam-Smith will make the second defense of his WBO cruiserweight title on June 15 at Selhurst Park against old rival Richard Riakporhe.

The fight has been in the offing for several months, with Billam-Smith keen again to fight in front of his Bournemouth fans at the Vitality Stadium, where he won the crown from Lawrence Okolie last year, but now having to head to Selhurst Park in London.

The champion, 33, and Riakporhe boxed as upcoming prospects in 2019, with Riakporhe winning a split decision at the O2 Arena, a venue that was also in the running to host the rematch.

Billam-Smith defended his title for the first time in December, at the Bournemouth International Centre, with an eighth-round retirement win over tough Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak.

He is trained by Shane McGuigan and is now 19-1 (13 KOs), while the 34-year-old challenger is 17-0 (13 KOs) and last boxed in November, with a routine stoppage win over outgunned Frenchman Dylan Bregeon.

Selhurst Park is the home of Premier League soccer club Crystal Palace and can hold more than 25,000 fans for soccer.

“I’m looking forward to giving the Bournemouth fans an away day to remember with an explosive performance, live on Sky Sports," said Billam-Smith. "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.”

“My time has come," countered Riakporhe. "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.

Promoter Ben Shalom was pleased to get the pair together, after Riakporhe had worked his way up to the mandatory position and as the only man to have beaten Billam-Smith to date.

"Chris Billam-Smith has huge support on the south coast, and we expect the AFC Bournemouth faithful to travel in huge numbers to support him as he puts his WBO world title on the line against the only man to beat him," said Shalom. "It’s a dream come true for Richard Riakporhe as he gets his world title shot in front of his fellow Crystal Palace fans at Selhurst Park.

"With more big fight announcements to follow, this is the event in British boxing not to miss this summer.”

Will be interesting to see if this sells. London dont really support their own and guess it comes down to fan base from CBS side.

[tony1234]

Not sure this is an outdoor event, the 02 would have been cheaper and better. England play the next day in the Euros in Germany so a few football fans might be abroad who may have gone and not sure either have that big a fanbase to attract many casuals

[magnus]

Maybe it's not a stadium fight, and I don't get the constant desire to make Riakporhe being a Palace fan a "thing", but it's a bloody good match-up.

Fair play to Billam-Smith, no cheeky defence vs the likes of Willard Lewis on his record as a "world champ".

[jameswilson]

I'd imagine they will load the card.

Surely they can't be sticking Artinsall and Caroline Dubois on there.

Hope Jamie TKV is on there or gets out before then. Could the Azim v Eubank fight be on this one?

[SeanBrennan]

Maybe it's not a stadium fight, and I don't get the constant desire to make Riakporhe being a Palace fan a "thing", but it's a bloody good match-up.

Fair play to Billam-Smith, no cheeky defence vs the likes of Willard Lewis on his record as a "world champ".

I agree, Chris could go the sadly common WBO route of padded defences but seems determined and willing to fight anyone. Refreshing really.

I think they'll put the Azim fight on another card too, I don't see them doing a massive undercard for this one. This is based on my massive inside knowledge (that is zero).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chamberlain Challenges Cieslak For European Cruiserweight Championship

[SeanBrennan]

what do people think Chamberlain will earn for this fight?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Rockytony67]

[Glass Joe]

Anyone going? i probably would have in Bournemouth but not really in the mood these days to travel to shows. 90 quid for a bottom tier ticket.

[Coco]

The Nigerian has a proper padded record, cant see it being competitive

[Coco]

what do people think Chamberlain will earn for this fight?

75k purse

[SeanBrennan]

what do people think Chamberlain will earn for this fight?

75k purse

thanks Coco

[SeanBrennan]

Anyone going? i probably would have in Bournemouth but not really in the mood these days to travel to shows. 90 quid for a bottom tier ticket.

Does bottom tier mean miles away?

[SeanBrennan]

Chamberlain Challenges Cieslak For European Cruiserweight Championship

if it had been the Commonwealth it would have been all the C's!

[jameswilson]

The Nigerian has a proper padded record, cant see it being competitive

He's a super middleweight as well.

[SeanBrennan]

The Nigerian has a proper padded record, cant see it being competitive

He's a super middleweight as well.

oh lord, he must be ready for better than this, English title at least or an Area

[Frostieballs]

Chamberlain Challenges Cieslak For European Cruiserweight Championship

if it had been the Commonwealth it would have been all the C's!

Very good!

[SeanBrennan]

Chamberlain Challenges Cieslak For European Cruiserweight Championship

if it had been the Commonwealth it would have been all the C's!

Very good!

Haha thanks.

[gregregegg]

Whittickers opponent has a very padded record, but at least it feels like he has some confidence even if it’s very misplaced.

Padded record and I see WBA are wheeling out the very I sucsessfull wba gold world championship title…

sounds like a good belt till you relised wba super is world levle, wba reg is brittish levle and wba gold is basically area levle hahah. But still… “world title” if you squint enough.

[Glass Joe]

Anyone going? i probably would have in Bournemouth but not really in the mood these days to travel to shows. 90 quid for a bottom tier ticket.

Does bottom tier mean miles away?

well i was in the bottom tier for CBS Okile and was pretty far back. great view for the crowd fights

[SeanBrennan]

Anyone going? i probably would have in Bournemouth but not really in the mood these days to travel to shows. 90 quid for a bottom tier ticket.

Does bottom tier mean miles away?

well i was in the bottom tier for CBS Okile and was pretty far back. great view for the crowd fights

Hahahaha every cloud....

[Glass Joe]

How is this selling? I been getting targeted adverts on my Facebook saying selling fast which generally means it isn't.

[Controversial]

Riakporke is allegedly dating Madonna

[wrighty]

Riakporke is allegedly dating Madonna

That's interesting. She dated the rapper 2pac in the 90s. She was like 30 then