Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe 'guaranteed' to fight next
WBO World cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13KO) and former rival Richard Riakporhe (17-0, 13KO) have signed to fight each other next.
33-year-old Billam-Smith is the reigning champion but will be looking for revenge against 34-year-old Riakporhe, as the only man to ever defeat him as a pro.
South London's Selhurst Park or Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium are currently being considered as venues to stage the tasty rematch.
Promoter Ben Shalom revealed that both Billam-Smith and Riakporhe have agreed to fight, "That's a fight that both fighters have signed to fight. It's a mandatory fight and it's guaranteed to happen next. Another huge fight in British boxing," Shalom told Sky Sports.
"We're looking at dates at both Selhurst Park and the Vitality stadium."
Billam-Smith suffered a cut in his last fight with Mateusz Masternak in December, successfully defending his world title for the first time since winning the belt from his friend Lawrence Okolie in May 2023.
"The Gentleman" was trailing on two of the judges' scorecards until he was able to catch his Polish opponent with a rib-breaking body shot in the eighth round, causing the opposing corner to retire.
However, he suffered from a cut over his left eye, which will need to heal fully before deciding on a date.
"They've both signed to fight each other. Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe will fight each other next and we're waiting on Chris to update [on his cut] and then we can announce the date," Shalom explained.
"It's something that Richard has worked towards a long time as people know. It's a rematch for Chris Billam-Smith, so it means a lot to him, the only loss on his record," Shalom said.
"A special fight in a division that's really thriving but also two guys that people really enjoy watching for different reasons.
"Chris Billam-Smith is a fan favourite and guy that always delivers entertainment and then Richard Riakporhe has phenomenal freakish power and it's just going to be an incredible moment, an incredible fight for both of them with so much on the line.
"I think Chris Billam-Smith will be a completely different fighter to the one that fought against Masternak. Richard needs to not read too much into it. A big fight that both fighters have both signed for.
"To have an all-British world title fight as a rematch is massive."