Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe set for stadium showdown
Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) is set to take on Richard Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs) at the home of Crystal Palace FC on June 15, Pro Boxing Fans reports.
The domestic dustup will be a rematch of the pair’s first encounter back in 2019, when Riakporhe came away with a split decision victory over ten rounds.
Now, it seems, the South Londoner is likely to have home advantage at Selhurst Park, despite Billam-Smith putting his WBO world cruiserweight title on the line.
Since his defeat to Riakporhe, Billam-Smith has gone on to establish himself as a household name – and a prolific ticket seller – in his hometown of Bournemouth.
He defended his Commonwealth and European titles against Isaac Chamberlain at the Bournemouth International Centre in 2022, outpointing him in an enthralling clash.
Then, against his former stablemate, Laurence Okolie, the 33-year-old fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion at the Vitality Stadium – home of AFC Bournemouth.
Having made one defence of his strap, against Mateusz Masternak, Billam-Smith has called out the other champions in his division for a potential unification.
However, his words have seemingly fallen on deaf ears, with no cruiserweight titlist even entertaining a showdown with the Brit.
Meanwhile, Riakporhe has been patiently waiting in the wings for his shot at world honours, and has claimed his fair share of scalps to prove that he is ready for the opportunity.
After winning the British title against Jack Massey in 2019, the undefeated cruiserweight has tested himself against European and fringe-world level opposition.
His last three performances have all ended in destructive fashion, with an emphatic second-round stoppage over former European champion Fabio Turchi, a punishing fourth-round knockout against former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki and, most recently, a two-round blowout over Dylan Bregeon.
The battle between stadiums to host his next fight continues, though, as fans eagerly await an official announcement on the venue.