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 up to now.
On July 20, 2019, Riakporhe bought the nod over 10 rounds on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s win over Oscar Rivas on the O2 Area 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 necessary challenger.
The 33-year-old champion received the belt in an unsightly encounter in opposition to buddy and former gym-mate Lawerence Okolie final Could. Whereas the battle was one to neglect the night time was a memorable one for Billam-Smith who received in entrance of his house followers outdoor 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 within the eighth spherical attributable to a rib harm.
Riakporhe, in the meantime, is but to style defeat in 17 fights and has seemed dominant in his final 5 wins the place every opponent has been stopped or knocked out.
Riakporhe is the one particular person to have overwhelmed Billam-Smith. (Picture by Dan Istitene/Getty Pictures)
Boxing Information caught up with Billam-Smith final night time on the O2 Area after a crowd of over 10,000 watched a British heavyweight title basic between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke.
“We’re simply ready for a venue I consider,” he stated of the Riakporhe rematch.
“I need to do it right here [the O2 Arena]. That is the place of the primary battle. It is sensible, the historical past is there. We are able to’t do AFC Bournemouth, which is a disgrace. The time of 12 months, they will’t do the pitch. However let’s do it again right here. What a venue it’s for a giant occasion. It’ll be one other large occasion prefer it was tonight. I simply need to get it signed, delivered, introduced. I’m in coaching anyway. I’m excited for that battle.”
Earlier that night, Billam-Smith’s gym-mate Adam Azim confronted off in opposition to Harlem Eubank forward of their proposed super-lightweight conflict. Whereas there was no official announcement Azim’s coach Shane McGuigan confirmed to BN that the battle had been signed and can happen.
