Chris Billam-Smith on the prospect of facing old rival Richard Riakporhe: “That fight’s probably next”

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH believes the subsequent defence of his WBO Cruiserweight belt might be towards former opponent Richard Riakporhe.

Both males have been on completely different sides of the ring on Sunday (December 10) night inside the Bournemouth International Centre. Billam-Smith was defending his title for the first time towards veteran Mateusz Masternak whereas Riakporhe was ringside working as an analyst for Sky Sports.

After a tough first half of the struggle, Billam-Smith emerged victorious when Masternak obtained up off his stool between rounds seven and eight however was unable to proceed preventing as a result of a rib harm. The injury sustained had been the consequence of thudding hooks delivered by the champion to the challenger’s physique.

With his maiden defence taken care of, ideas now flip to the future. And it seems doubtless that Billam-Smith’s future will characteristic Riakporhe, the WBO primary contender, in the reverse nook.

“That fight’s probably next, yeah,” he informed Boxing News in the early hours of Monday (December 11) morning.

“His unbeaten record and the history, two Brits, it’s a fun fight,” he added.

The “history” the 33-year-old refers to stems from their assembly on July 20, 2019, at the O2 Arena in London. Having been dropped in spherical seven of that struggle, a 10-rounder, Billam-Smith was awarded a profitable scorecard of 96-93 from ringside decide Terry O’Connor. However, his colleagues Leszek Jankowiak and Salvador Salva each gave the nod to Riakporhe with scores of 95-94 and 97-92 in his favour.

Billam-Smith believes that his show towards Masternak might enhance Riakporhe’s perception that he can take the belt from the Bournemouth fighter.

“I’m sure he’ll look at that tonight and maybe think it’s an easy fight, [an] easier fight than before,” Billam-Smith mentioned.

“It’s different when you’re in there with me [but] that fight would be great. There’s other fights out there but that one looks most likely, to be honest, because the WBO has to call a mandatory. It’s an exciting fight.”

Riakporhe’s undefeated file stays intact having added one other seven wins to his file since beating Billam-Smith. The energy of ‘The Midnight Train’ has been significantly evident since making his debut for Boxxer two years in the past (when stopping Olanrewaju Durodola in 5 rounds). Riakporhe’s subsequent 4 opponents – Deion Jumah, Fabio Turchi, Krzysztof Glowacki and Dylan Bregeon – all failed to listen to the ultimate bell. Having been caught by Masternak repeatedly, will Billam-Smith have to be defensively tighter towards the Londoner or different high tier opponents in the future?

“Yeah, but at the same time they box very differently and haven’t got feet as good as Masternak,” he countered.

“He’s very cute in sure areas. Little pullbacks and little shoulder rolls in defence [which] he’s very good with. It takes a bit away from me in that sense.

“Styles make fights, as they say, and I know the work I can do.  I’ll have to be better, more switched on, but there’s a reason for it. I was very comfortable in there [against Masternak]. There’s a reason I sort of switched off at times because I was a bit too comfortable with the pace of the shots, the power of the shots. If someone’s a bigger puncher or faster puncher, I wouldn’t be as comfortable allowing those shots through. It would change it.”