Richard Riakporhe rudely tells world champion Chris Billam-Smith he has gone backwards since they last fought
Over the last couple of years, the rise of Chris Billam-Smith has surprised many British boxing fans by rising high enough to claim the WBO world cruiserweight title.
However, his upcoming opponent Richard Riakporhe, had a differing opinion on the recent form of his domestic rival.
Riakporhe handed ‘The Gentleman’ his first and only defeat to date when they met back in 2019, winning a razor-close split-decision before moving on to trump Jack Massey and win the British belt.
Although, despite maintaining his undefeated record since, it is Billam-Smith that has successfully made the leap up onto the world stage, pulling off the upset against his former teammate Lawrence Okolie almost 12 months ago.
Since then, Billam-Smith has made one successful defence of the WBO crown, forcing Mateusz Masternak to retire on his stool whilst ahead on the cards when they went toe-to-toe last December.
Now, the 33-year-old seeks to avenge the sole blemish on his professional record as he gears up for a cruiserweight showdown with Riakporhe once again. Although, the less than convincing performance against Masternak, coupled with Riakporhe’s run of five consecutive stoppage wins, has got most fans convinced that it could be ‘repeat’ rather than ‘revenge’.
In their Sky Sports ‘Gloves Are Off’, Riakporhe shockingly declared that he believes Billam-Smith has deteriorated since their first encounter, regardless of his incredible achievements since.
"I've seen him go BACKWARDS! I can see a deterioration" 📉 😳
The Gloves Are Off between @ChrisBillam & @R_Riakporhe 🔜 pic.twitter.com/IRHcI0BzUN
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 1, 2024
Richard Riakporhe: “From what I have seen – something [in Chris Billam-Smith] has changed, maybe some good but I have seen a lot that is not good, that is my honest opinion. I can say that I have seen him go backwards, I can see a deterioration, that is me being honest.”
Chris Billam-Smith: “He can’t think that.”
Richard Riakporhe: “I have seen stuff”.
Chris Billam-Smith: “So you think that and you are going into this fight thinking that I have deteriorated from the first fight?”
Richard Riakporhe: “Yeah.”
Chris Billam-Smith: “You are in trouble, it might be even easier than I expected.”
Billam-Smith-Riakporhe II will go ahead at Selhurst Park, home of the Londoner’s beloved Crystal Palace Football Club, on June 15th – topping a bill that also features Isaac Chamberlain’s EBU title bid against Michael Cieslak, as well as the return of the entertaining yet controversial light-heavyweight contender, Ben Whittaker.
Anthony Yarde was also expected to appear on the card to take on Joshua Buatsi in another domestic 50/50 at 175lbs but current contract complications appear to have gotten in the way of the bout – at least for now.
The full card will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Main Event, for what appears set to be BOXXER and Ben Shalom’s most stacked card of 2024, as Selhurst Park prepares to stage it’s first boxing event since Eddie Thomas knocked out Eric McQuade in 1951.