BoxRec

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki targeted for January

We recently learned that Chris Billam-Smith, Britain’s top cruiserweight behind Lawrence Okolie, will return to action in just over a month against Armend Xhoxhaj. We now know what his chief rival’s plans are, as Ben Shalom tells Sky Sports that Richard Riakporhe will meet former champion Krzysztof Glowacki, “likely” this coming January.

Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KO) scraped past Billam-Smith when they met as unbeatens in 2019 and quickly followed up with a decision over Jack Massey for the British title. He’s been on the warpath of late, beating down Deion Jumah in March and subsequently crushing Fabio Turchi with a second-round body shot.

Shalom says that Billam-Smith will be looking to challenge Jai Opetaia for the IBF title next spring, but Riakporhe sits above him in the rankings at no. 2. I wouldn’t be hugely surprised to see the IBF order a rematch for mandatory status unless Opetaia takes a voluntary defense against Billam-Smith.

That’s assuming Riakporhe gets past Glowacki (32-3, 2 KO). The 36-year-old is definitely on the downswing after stoppage losses to Mairis Briedis and the aforementioned Okolie, but he only ever falls short against the best and is easily the most credentialed opponent of Riakporhe’s career. Solid matchmaking here; a dominant win over a skilled veteran would give Riakporhe an excellent argument for a title shot by the end of 2023.

Reports..

Glowacki’s team have not been approached by Boxxer.

They have however received an offer to fight Dylan Bregeon for the vacant European Belt.

What should Riakporhe be doing now?

Hopefully a rematch with CBS, but probably an eliminator against some random.

I think they'll end up overpaying Arsen Goulamirian to get a strap and push for unification with Okolie.

arsen is no slouch, it would be a good fight

ricky needs a step up, he's been fighting at the same level for 4 years now

Richard Riakporhe lines up Krzysztof Glowacki next, before targeting world title fight or Chris Billam-Smith rematch

Richard Riakporhe is set to fight former champion Krzysztof Glowacki next; that could lead Riakporhe to world title shot or even Chris Billam-Smith rematch; "The division's exciting because they all should now get to the stage where they're fighting each other," says promoter Ben Shalom

Richard Riakporhe’s next fight should lead him to a world title shot or a richly anticipated rematch with British rival Chris Billam-Smith.

Riakporhe will fight Poland's Krzysztof Glowacki next, his promoter Ben Shalom revealed.

That will likely take place in January in the new year.

Glowacki is a former world cruiserweight champion. Lawrence Okolie beat him when he won the vacant WBO title last year.

It should open the door to an exciting series of contests in the cruiserweight division. Billam-Smith, who lost a split decision to Riakporhe in 2019 in his only career loss, will be out for revenge.

Billam-Smith returns to box in Bournemouth on December 17 against Armend Xhoxhaj. If he is successful he expects to fight for a world title after that, with IBF champion Jai Opetaia in his sights.

"I think that's a fight that he's eyeing for March, April next year," BOXXER promoter Shalom said.

Both Billam-Smith and Riakporhe are stepping up to world level but they could be on course for an eventual rematch.

"I think so. I think both fighters are up for it. Billam-Smith wants to fight for a world title as does Richard next year. We do expect them both to fight for world titles in the early part of next year. But that's a fight I think the fans would look forward to," Shalom said.

"They've both developed as fighters now. Richard Riakporhe is a different fighter to the one that fought Chris Billam-Smith and Chris would say that he's improved as well. But I think because of Richard's power people would like to see him in 50-50 fights because it is exciting when you've got a guy, almost like (Deontay) Wilder that can end fights whenever he wants.

"I think Billam-Smith against Riakporhe in Bournemouth would be a huge event and a huge occasion."

With IBF champion Opetaia and the WBA belt-holder Arsen Goulamirian in the mix, there are appealing championship fights that can be made too.

"That cruiserweight division's exciting because they all should now hopefully get to a stage where they are fighting each other, whether it's Lawrence, Richard, Chris, even (Jack) Massey," Shalom said.

"There are some big fights there and then there are some world titles available."

Talking about cruisers. Deion Jumah has just retired 2 weeks before fighting Lawal.

Dioufy wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 16:43 Talking about cruisers. Deion Jumah has just retired 2 weeks before fighting Lawal.

Yeah - poor bloke. Detached retina.

Dioufy wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 16:43 Talking about cruisers. Deion Jumah has just retired 2 weeks before fighting Lawal.

Is that’s what’s happened?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 17:22

Dioufy wrote: ↑16 Nov 2022, 16:43 Talking about cruisers. Deion Jumah has just retired 2 weeks before fighting Lawal.

Is that’s what’s happened?

Yeah. 2nd time he’s detached his retina which is pretty much retirement unless you don’t need eyesight.

This will likely be in the undercard of Eubank-Smith.

Neither Eubank or Smith have signed a contract.

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Glowacki targeted for January

We recently learned that Chris Billam-Smith, Britain’s top cruiserweight behind Lawrence Okolie, will return to action in just over a month against Armend Xhoxhaj. We now know what his chief rival’s plans are, as Ben Shalom tells Sky Sports that Richard Riakporhe will meet former champion Krzysztof Glowacki, “likely” this coming January.

Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KO) scraped past Billam-Smith when they met as unbeatens in 2019 and quickly followed up with a decision over Jack Massey for the British title. He’s been on the warpath of late, beating down Deion Jumah in March and subsequently crushing Fabio Turchi with a second-round body shot.

Shalom says that Billam-Smith will be looking to challenge Jai Opetaia for the IBF title next spring, but Riakporhe sits above him in the rankings at no. 2. I wouldn’t be hugely surprised to see the IBF order a rematch for mandatory status unless Opetaia takes a voluntary defense against Billam-Smith.

That’s assuming Riakporhe gets past Glowacki (32-3, 2 KO). The 36-year-old is definitely on the downswing after stoppage losses to Mairis Briedis and the aforementioned Okolie, but he only ever falls short against the best and is easily the most credentialed opponent of Riakporhe’s career. Solid matchmaking here; a dominant win over a skilled veteran would give Riakporhe an excellent argument for a title shot by the end of 2023.

Glowacki past it
Not really a significant challenge for RR

stevec@france wrote: ↑19 Nov 2022, 07:02 Glowacki past it
Not really a significant challenge for RR

Glowacki is estabishing himself as a gatekeeper.

Signed

still a good fight for rr, you're talking a guy whose never faced anyone who boxed at world level before

Good fight. glows got a decent name, but id like to have seen sky pull out the wallet and get french in the ring for a world title.

If skys gunna make moves for okolie, why not try be ready with a unification waiting...

They'll need a new date for this.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Jan 2023, 07:51 They'll need a new date for this.

It’s on the Eubank/Smith undercard isn’t it?!

maverick23 wrote: ↑04 Jan 2023, 08:08

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Jan 2023, 07:51 They'll need a new date for this.

It’s on the Eubank/Smith undercard isn’t it?!

Oh yeh crap.

I forgot to take the ? on the thread title.. so was thinking it wasn't confirmed.

Fight Week!!

I think Riakphone will get the stoppage, but if Glowacki still has anything left, a points win wouldn't be a massive upset to me.

gregregegg wrote: ↑21 Dec 2022, 03:52 Good fight. glows got a decent name, but id like to have seen sky pull out the wallet and get french in the ring for a world title.

If skys gunna make moves for okolie, why not try be ready with a unification waiting...

Okolies the face of Sky sports. He don’t need no unifications baby.

Verdi wrote: ↑18 Jan 2023, 08:17 I think Riakphone will get the stoppage, but if Glowacki still has anything left, a points win wouldn't be a massive upset to me.

I thought Glowacki looked average against Okolie. That may just be down to how good Lawrence is but he didn’t strike me as someone who’s got a load left in him.

I see Riakporhe finishing him within 6 rounds.

maverick23 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2023, 08:42

Verdi wrote: ↑18 Jan 2023, 08:17 I think Riakphone will get the stoppage, but if Glowacki still has anything left, a points win wouldn't be a massive upset to me.

I thought Glowacki looked average against Okolie. That may just be down to how good Lawrence is but he didn’t strike me as someone who’s got a load left in him.

I see Riakporhe finishing him within 6 rounds.

I think that's the most likely outcome, but at the same-time Glowacki was considered by most to be a world class fighter in the not too distant past, and I don't think Riakphore is as good as Okolie. I just have a small feeling that this fight may expose his level.