CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH hopes {that a} rematch in opposition to Richard Riakporhe takes place on the similar venue the place he suffered his solely defeat to this point.
On July 20, 2019, Riakporhe acquired the nod over 10 rounds on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s win over Oscar Rivas on the O2 Arena in London.
Billam-Smith and Riakporhe, each promoted by Boxxer, are closing in on a return bout 5 years later which might see the previous defending his WBO world cruiserweight title in opposition to his now obligatory challenger.
The 33-year-old champion gained the belt in an unsightly encounter in opposition to good friend and former gym-mate Lawerence Okolie final May. While the battle was one to overlook the night time was a memorable one for Billam-Smith who gained in entrance of his residence followers open air at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. “The Gentleman” returned to the ring in December defeating Mateusz Masternak in a hard-fought contest which ended when the Pole retired in the eighth spherical attributable to a rib damage.
Riakporhe, in the meantime, is but to style defeat in 17 fights and has appeared dominant in his final 5 wins the place every opponent has been stopped or knocked out.
Riakporhe is the one individual to have overwhelmed Billam-Smith. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Boxing News caught up with Billam-Smith final night time on the O2 Arena after a crowd of over 10,000 watched a British heavyweight title traditional between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.
“We’re just waiting for a venue I believe,” he stated of the Riakporhe rematch.
“I want to do it here [the O2 Arena]. This is the place of the first fight. It makes sense, the history is there. We can’t do AFC Bournemouth, which is a shame. The time of year, they can’t do the pitch. But let’s do it back here. What a venue it is for a big event. It’ll be another big event like it was tonight. I just want to get it signed, delivered, announced. I’m in training anyway. I’m excited for that fight.”
Earlier that night, Billam-Smith’s gym-mate Adam Azim confronted off in opposition to Harlem Eubank forward of their proposed super-lightweight conflict. While there was no official announcement Azim’s coach Shane McGuigan confirmed to BN that the battle had been signed and can happen.
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