Chris Billam-Smith set to unify world titles soon? Rival champions welcome Las Vegas showdown | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith set to unify world titles soon? Rival champions welcome Las Vegas showdown | Boxing News



Chris Billam-Smith completed a second successful defence of his WBO cruiserweight title on Saturday when he beat Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Now he is ready for unification fights with the rival champions.

Noel Mikaelian, who won the WBC title last year when he knocked out Ilunga Makabu, has to make a mandatory defence of the belt. But he is eager to take on Billam-Smith and is willing to travel to make it happen.

Andy Scott and John Dennen deliver their verdict on Chris Billam-Smith’s win over Richard Riakporhe and wonder how far he can go in the sport

“Let’s get it on,” Mikaelian declared.

“He’s a great guy, he has a lot of fans in Britain and I would look forward to unifying against him in Britain, because boxing in Britain is the biggest right now. British fans are great and I would love to fight in Britain,” he told Sky Sports.

He warned: “I’m fast, I have good footwork, I have a tremendous punch which many people don’t know about.

“I’m practically an undefeated fighter. I beat Mairis Briedis and [Krzysztof] Wlodarczyk on their turf I just didn’t get the decision and finally I beat Makabu, who was a tremendous puncher, a heavy hitter in just three rounds, he didn’t get a single punch [in],” he added.

“I can adjust to any style… Any location, any style.

“It would be a pleasure to share the ring with Billam-Smith on his turf as well.

“It would be great for the sport and I would love to fight in Britain.”

Chris Billam-Smith defended his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe with a unanimous decision win at Selhurst Park

But Chris Billam-Smith has an away day of his own potentially in the works.

He revealed that he is in conversation with Gilberto Ramirez about meeting the Mexican in a clash to unify the WBA and WBO titles.

“He messaged me congratulations and said when you’re ready let’s unify. I said the same thing to him after his fight with [Arsen] Goulamirian and I think Golden Boy have been in touch with BOXXER already,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports News.

“I think November, December time would make sense [for it]. There’s so much at stake but I think it will happen this year.

Chris Billam-Smith heaped praise on his ‘master’ trainer Shane McGuigan after they stuck to the game-plan to beat Richard Riakporhe

“[Fighting] ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez excites me so much because of it being most likely in America because he fights over there,” he added.

“That whole thing of going to America that’s the stuff of dreams. I grew up watching Ricky Hatton and what he did over here, then going to America and doing his thing over there. It’s crazy to think that’s the position that I’m in now. More than likely my next fight’s going to be abroad and hopefully get the ‘Zurdo’ fight.

“If we can do it in Vegas it would be a great unification fight. And then fight Jai Opetaia [the IBF champion] after, that would be phenomenal.

“Especially if Jai could go get the other belt and we could do it for an undisputed cruiserweight title. It would be perfect.”

‘It has to be unifications next’

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom said: “It was an incredible night at Selhurst Park. A fantastic atmosphere and a phenomenal performance from Chris Billam-Smith. Richard Riakporhe will be disappointed, he didn’t get going, but Chris was levels above. He fought to a game plan and executed it perfectly.

“It has to be unifications for him next. That was his third world title fight, and he has proven he is an elite champion.

“It has always been Chris’ dream to fight in Las Vegas. A unification against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Las Vegas could happen. Chris is in a good position. He can have his pick of opponents. It is our job to access the options and deliver the best fight for him.

“From where he has come from to what he has achieved, I wouldn’t bet against him against any of the other cruiserweight champions.”

Chris Billam-Smith on Oleksandr Usyk dream fight: ‘I asked Shane McGuigan to train me to beat him in 2017!’ | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith on Oleksandr Usyk dream fight: ‘I asked Shane McGuigan to train me to beat him in 2017!’ | Boxing News



Chris Billam-Smith is cultivating a remarkable habit of turning his dreams into a reality.

When he turned professional, he wasn’t touted as a future champion. Yet he managed to win Commonwealth, British and European titles.

Last year at the Vitality Stadium in his hometown of Bournemouth, he dethroned Lawrence Okolie to win the WBO cruiserweight world championship.

Billam-Smith want to fight in America and targets a Gilberto Ramirez world title unification after Richard Riakporhe triumph at Selhurst Park.

On Saturday, he defeated the only man to have previously beaten him as a pro, outscoring power-puncher Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park in south London to defend his world title.

“The child in me who loves football so much – I get to box in two Premier League football stadiums, it’s wild. It was beyond my wildest dreams at one point and now I’ve managed to do two, it’s just crazy,” he told Sky Sports.

But he’s not done with dreams yet. He believes he can beat any of his rival world champions now.

“[Jai] Opetaia’s a great fighter, they’re all great fighters. [Gilberto] ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez is probably the most underrated champion I’d say. What he did with [Arsen] Goulamirian was fantastic. [He’s] a really strong, durable southpaw, can counter-punch, got fast hands, a really good fighter,” he said.

Andy Scott and John Dennen deliver their verdict on Chris Billam-Smith’s win over Richard Riakporhe and wonder how far he can go in the sport.

But that is what he wants next – world title unifications. “It’s mad. That’s what we’re looking at now. We’re not interested in anything else, really, other than other champions,” Bilam-Smith continued.

Riakporhe was a dangerous challenger, but Billam-Smith answered his doubters with Saturday night’s performance.

“They don’t see everything else. They see the [Mateusz] Masternak fight. They see the [Armend] Xhoxhaj fight and me getting clipped and the Isaac [Chamberlain] war and they don’t see the ins and outs of the gym and I can turn it on when I need to,” he said.

“Xhoxhaj wasn’t a great performance, so everyone backed Lawrence. Masternak wasn’t a great performance, so everyone backed Richard, but mentally I can switch it on.

Chris Billam-Smith heaped praise on his ‘master’ trainer Shane McGuigan after they stuck to the game-plan to beat Richard Riakporhe.

“The Masternak fight was difficult, everything around it, the massive high [against Okolie] coming into that fight, going to a smaller venue, everyone’s expecting you to win.

“No one really cares about that fight, everyone wants to see me and Richard. All the talk was about Richard. And the same with the Xhoxhaj fight, everyone’s talking about what’s next. No one’s heard of him before. We’re only human, you can switch off, but big fights I can turn up every time.”

Despite the humble beginnings of his pro career, Billam-Smith can now dare to dream of going undisputed at cruiserweight.

If he keeps on winning, he could perhaps snare the biggest fight of all, if undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk decides to return to his former division.

Sky Sports’ Johnny Nelson is not convinced Oleksandr Usyk will drop back down to cruiserweight in the near future.

Usyk has publicly said he would consider returning to the division he has previously unified.

“If he comes back down, that’s wild. I said to Shane [McGuigan, his trainer] when I first joined the gym, we were talking about Usyk, [saying] he’s a special fighter. I was going: ‘You’re going to train me to beat him.’ I said that to him [in] 2017. I think I’d only had my debut,” Billam-Smith laughed.

“He’s a special fighter, it would be an honour to share the ring with him as it would ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, as it would Opetaia. I’m enjoying my career.

“I’m not saying it’s an easy fight by any stretch of the imagination.

“What a special fighter. To share the ring with someone like him would be phenomenal. And as fighters we go in every fight believing we can win it.”

Chris Billam-Smith targets Gilberto Ramirez world title unification after Richard Riakporhe triumph | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith targets Gilberto Ramirez world title unification after Richard Riakporhe triumph | Boxing News



Chris Billam-Smith settled his score with Richard Riakporhe, avenging his only previous professional defeat and defending the WBO cruiserweight world title for a second time.

It was his second world title fight at a Premier League football stadium against a British rival.

Now he has set his sights on a trip overseas and becoming a unified champion.

Andy Scott and John Dennen deliver their verdict on Billam-Smith’s win over Riakporhe and wonder how far he can go in the sport

Gilberto Ramirez, the WBA cruiserweight titlist, is the opponent he wants next and he’s willing to go to the US to make that fight.

“I’d be really honoured. It would be crazy to make more memories out there,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports News.

“I want to fight in America. Every Brit’s dream is obviously to fight in their home football team’s stadium and then go to America. Ricky Hatton had it.

“‘Zurdo’ Ramirez is the WBA champion. I would love that belt, that’s the one George Groves won. I would love to fight him [Ramirez] out there, he fights out there so that makes it a possibility.”

Billam-Smith first won the WBO world title in his Bournemouth hometown when he upset Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality stadium.

This weekend he travelled to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium to take on Riakporhe at his club.

Billam-Smith defended his WBO cruiserweight world title against Riakporhe with a unanimous decision win at Selhurst Park

Once again it was Billam-Smith who rose to the occasion. That prior experience against Okolie at the Vitality stadium helped him but so did: “Everything through my career. The experience and the tough fights, the bad performances, the good performances.

“The experience I had being around George Groves, Luke Campbell, Josh Taylor. Barry McGuigan comes and watches most spars, if not all of them, when you’ve got that knowledge around you and that experience around you, you’re constantly learning and that’s why the gym has so much success because we’ve got that conveyor belt of champions.”

Ultimately Billam-Smith took a clear unanimous decision over Riakporhe, nullifying his challenger’s fearsome punch-power over the course of a rough 12 rounds.

“The gameplan was perfect,” he said. “[Felt] really comfortable throughout. Had loads of energy left. The gameplan was don’t waste energy, don’t try and force the fight.

“He had a good start to the fight. He jabbed really well. I wasn’t moving enough. He was jabbing really well, then I started to get my movement in.

Take a look back at some of the biggest stadium fights in British boxing history

“I respect Richard. I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans,” he added. “We’re all Palace fans this summer, they’ve got plenty of players in the England team.

“A massive thank you to everyone who supported me. You’ve given me dreams back home and you’ve supported me away.”

For Billam-Smith his world title dreams just keep on getting bigger. He’s beaten his best rivals in Britain, fought in a stadium twice over. Now he wants to conquer America, and he wants Gilberto Ramirez next.

Chris Billam-Smith beats Richard Riakporhe to retain WBO cruiserweight world title at Selhurst Park | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith beats Richard Riakporhe to retain WBO cruiserweight world title at Selhurst Park | Boxing News



Chris Billam-Smith denied Richard Riakporhe a dream homecoming as he beat his British rival by unanimous decision to enact revenge and successfully defend his WBO cruiserweight world title at Selhurst Park. 

The reigning champion delivered a calculated, controlled performance to nullify the power of his opponent and spoil the Riakporhe party at the home of Crystal Palace.

It was not only a title defence but sweet payback for ‘The Gentleman’, who five years earlier had suffered the only defeat of his career to Riakporhe in a tight split decision. This time, he left no doubt, taking it 116-111, 115-112, 115-112 on the cards.

A prominent talking point during the build-up to the fight had been which of the two had improved more since their first outing, Billam-Smith adamant he had grown into a completely different competitor since 2019. Riakporhe learned how right he was.

“Very satisfying,” he said. “I’m really pleased with the performance.

“Experience, speed and the gameplan” made the difference, he explained.

“Forget all the build-up,” he continued. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Richard he’s a great fighter, he just needed a little bit more experience and he’ll learn from that.”

Riakporhe cut a composed figure amid the chaos as he worked behind his jab during the early exchanges while finding his range with two dangerous looking right hands, the noise of which would prompt gasps from the anticipant crowd.

Billam-Smith settled into his own rhythm in the second round with a first real flurry to force Riakporhe into tying him up at the ropes, which soon became an early theme as the pair continued to find themselves tangled on the inside.

A mis-timed right hand from Riakporhe served as a warning as it threatened an opening for Billam-Smith, whose right-hand reply was evaded.

Riakporhe underlined his power with a firm left hook as the two backed onto the ropes, the fight falling into a slightly ugly stagnant phase with neither man able to unlock a meaningful combination.

The war of attrition moved into the fourth when the two traded brutal body shots, before Billam-Smith reminded of his toughness while brushing through a right hook.

Billam-Smith began to land the clean shots behind a sharper jab while Riakporhe appeared the more hesitant of the two, seemingly in wait of one decisive shot to breach his opponent’s championed grit.

By round seven it was Billam-Smith firmly in control as the busier, more accurate fighter with Riakporhe beginning to look frustrated with how the contest had been panning out for him as another intended assault in the corner came up shy.

Billam-Smith strengthened his grip on the fight in the eighth when he unleashed a hook to rock Riakporhe, who was left hanging over the corner of the ring. ‘The Midnight Train’ sought to respond with a huge right hand, only to again be reminded of Billam-Smith’s granite chin.

Knowing he was behind, Riakporhe began to let his hands go in the closing rounds and connected with a crushing right only to see his momentum stalled by an accidental low blow from the challenger.

Champion’s experience soon told as Billam-Smith closed out what might be deemed a career-best performance with two clinical final rounds, as much being sealed for good when Riakporhe was deducted a point for the use of his head in a clench.

Chris Billam-Smith plots ‘perfect revenge’ as Richard Riakporhe warns: Nobody can hit like me | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith plots ‘perfect revenge’ as Richard Riakporhe warns: Nobody can hit like me | Boxing News



Richard Riakporhe’s fighting nickname is ‘The Midnight Train’. Does that make Chris Billam-Smith ‘The Little Engine That Could’?

After all, even though Billam-Smith is the world champion going into this fight, he is widely considered the underdog against this challenger.

For many he exceeded expectations when becoming a British champion, let alone European and then WBO world cruiserweight titlist.

Billam-Smith says he will be ready for whatever Riakporhe brings on fight night and believes he will win by knockout

Billam-Smith gives a strained but polite laugh at the analogy. “I don’t know who gave him that nickname,” he said of Riakporhe.

“He likes to come up with lots of different words, and poems, and names for things and metaphors. He’s trying but they’re not the best. He’s no Muhammad Ali, is he? I guess everyone loves a trier.

“But none of that will matter.”

In the days leading up to this fight, Billam-Smith has exuded a calm confidence with his close-knit training team and family all around him.

He has after all been here before. He won the world championship when he beat Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium in his Bournemouth hometown. He has defended it in a tough fight with Mateusz Masternak and has ambitions of title unifications.

Riakporhe says he does not play mind games and is excited to get to work against Billam-Smith

Riakporhe does not have that track record. Billam-Smith believes his challenger will be feeling nerves before the first bell chimes on Saturday night.

“I think the closer the fight will get the more he will realise what a big occasion it is and the show’s built around him, isn’t it? That’s going to take its toll for sure if he can’t deal with it,” the champion told Sky Sports.

“He’s coming from boxing on an undercard, quite low down the bill in Wolverhampton, against a low-level opponent to where we’re at now and he hasn’t really had any acid tests. So all that will come to his mind I think.

“It’s another great occasion for me. Which is what I love anyway, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in. It’ll be interesting to see how he deals with it.”

Winning this would mean Billam-Smith will have beaten every man he has faced as a professional. Riakporhe is the only opponent to have beaten him after taking a split-decision victory over him in 2019.

Billam-Smith got a cold response from Riakporhe when he predicted he will retain his WBO world title by knockout

Billam-Smith, though, is plotting what he considers would be the perfect revenge. When they fight at Selhurst Park, Billam-Smith is planning not only on beating him literally on home turf, but on knocking him out there.

“Here we are at another football stadium, which I’m not going to complain about either. It’s great to be involved in these occasions and for it to be another domestic world title fight is amazing and the fact that I get to avenge a loss is the cherry on top. It’s a great position,” Billam-Smith said.

“I’ll rip the script up again. That’s how it feels. That’s how this whole fight feels. It feels like the Lawrence fight, in terms of he’s getting bigged up in terms of being the favourite or what not.

“I’ve come up against punch power and his punch power before and there’s a lot more to boxing than just punch power, especially in a 12-round fight.

Don’t miss our latest episode of ‘The Gloves Are Off’ featuring Billam-Smith and Riakporhe

“How he deals with my pace and intensity will be an interesting factor and that will definitely tire him out. We’ll have to wait and see.

“That’s always the game plan, to put on a good performance and get the stoppage. Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m feeling very confident.”

He suggests that, even if Riakporhe can land his best shot, he can take it and keep on pressing forward. “I think when someone does that to you it’s very disheartening,” Billam-Smith said.

Riakporhe, naturally, does not expect to unravel. Their first fight was close with the referee ruling a knockdown against Billam-Smith which the latter still disputes.

This time, Riakporhe reckons, he will fully put Billam-Smith down and keep him there.

On a run of five stoppage victories, Riakporhe has been striking with merciless force. Frazer Clarke, a heavyweight and an Olympic bronze medallist, sparred with gym-mate Riakporhe ahead of his outstanding British title fight with Fabio Wardley.

Clarke identified Riakporhe as the hardest puncher he has been in the ring with. That is quite a claim given that Clarke has boxed or sparred some of the biggest hitters in the world, Anthony Joshua and Olympic gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov among them.

Ahead of Billam-Smith’s fight with Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, take a look back at some of the biggest stadium fights in British boxing history

Riakporhe considers himself the heaviest puncher in the country, not just at cruiser, heavyweight included.

“I believe that I am. A lot of people say that I do. I have a gift. That’s my gift and all I do is want to show the world it’s a blessing, and it can be a curse if I don’t prepare myself diligently,” he told Sky Sports.

“People say that. To be honest I don’t know anybody that can hit like me. I’ve got a different type of punch.

“The punch doesn’t just hurt. It takes your spiritual energy as well. It zaps you. People wouldn’t understand. The word I would refer to it as is the ‘vim’. The vim. I would say the vim. It’s got that vim on it.

“Once it touches you, it’s sapping your energy, sapping your life out of you.”

Ringwalk times

  • Ben Whittaker’s ringwalk for his light-heavyweight contest with Ezra Arenyeka is expected around 9pm on Saturday night.
  • For the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe main event, ringwalks will be from 9.45pm.
  • Don’t miss the big Selhurst Park bill live on Sky Sports.

He rejects Billam-Smith’s suggestion he is nervous going into the biggest night of his professional career.

“Now we’re here, I’m happy. I knew it was going to come eventually,” Riakporhe said. “The most important thing was not just receiving an opportunity but being prepared for it. I’m prepared for it so we’re ready to go.

“I feel like where I am now in my career, this is perfect timing for me. When people say you’ve been waiting for too long, I think no this is just perfect timing.”

He concluded: “You just have to relax, enjoy the moment and do what you’re trained to do. Simple.”

That last point surely is one Billam-Smith can agree on too. Perhaps the fight will ultimately be simple. It might just come down to who can hit, hurt and take the pain and pressure best.

Billam-Smith is convinced that will be him. Riakporhe is certain it will not.

Which of them is wrong, we will only find out once the bell rings, the crowd roars and the real fight is on.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW

Lawrence Okolie would beat Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at bridgerweight, says Macaulay McGowan | Boxing News

Lawrence Okolie would beat Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at bridgerweight, says Macaulay McGowan | Boxing News



Over the next two days gym-mates Macaulay McGowan and Jack Massey could both win European championships.

Massey takes on Isaac Chamberlain for the cruiserweight title on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, while McGowan boxes Abass Baraou for the super-welterweight belt in Bolton on Friday.

He knows Baraou is a daunting opponent. “I expect a really tough fight and I’m looking to bring the best of me and get the win,” McGowan told Sky Sports. “I don’t see any weaknesses in him!

Cruiserweights Isaac Chamberlain and Jack Massey continue their war of words as their pre-fight presser gets heated

“I’ve fought good fighters, I’ve been in with some really top fighters and it’s just all the same. I’ve just got to believe in myself and what I do.

“If I apply myself and do what I need to do I think I can drag him into my gameplan and make this a really good fight and get the win. I am really confident.”

He added: “I’ve been in with Sergio Martinez, I’m not really worried about anybody else.”

Tyler Denny edged out Macauley McGowan by split decision to become European EEU middleweight champion

McGowan has had an up and down career. Since his loss to Martinez in 2022 he’s only been defeated once. That was a split-decision reverse last year to Tyler Denny who went on to become the European middleweight champion himself.

Earlier in 2023 he also ventured on to enemy territory when he took on Farrhad Saad in Paris and was unfortunate to come away with only a draw.

This next fight though could be the high point of his career. McGowan had a unique metaphor to describe what victory would feel like for him. He likened it to Patrick Swayze singing ‘She’s Like the Wind’.

McGowan says he made massive improvements in his fight against Farrhad Saad which was declared a draw

“Right at the end Wendy Frazer comes in and sings the harmonies. It adds to the song and it just makes the whole song,” he said enthusiastically.

“And this is my career – 20 years I’ve been Patrick Swayze in ‘She’s Like the Wind’. It’s coming, that big moment’s coming and it doesn’t. It goes back down. And then something changes in the instrumental, Wendy Frazer turns up – boom – and she hits the notes and it’s like, wow, what a great song.

“So this on Friday is my Wendy Frazer moment.”

Chamberlain exchanges words with opponent Massey as the pair face off ahead of their European and Commonwealth cruiserweight title clash

McGowan will be first of trainer Joe Gallagher’s fighters from the Champs Camp gym in Manchester in action this week.

“By Sunday we could have two European champions,” McGowan said. “We train hard, we set our standards high and we expect these results.

“Jack’s been looking well and I think he knocks Isaac Chamberlain out.”

Massey blasted through Steve Eloundou Ntere, shaking him up with two-punch combination before scything him down with an overarm right

An inspiring new addition to their gym has been Lawrence Okolie. Now trained by Gallagher, he came back from his loss to Chris Billam-Smith to knock out Lukasz Rozanski in one round and win the WBC’s bridgerweight title.

“We’ve seen him come a bit unmotivated, a bit heavy,” McGowan said. “We could see the transformation from that guy to world champion in a short space of time so it gave everyone a lift.”

Ringwalk times

  • Ben Whittaker’s ringwalk for his light-heavyweight contest with Ezra Arenyeka is expected around 9pm on Saturday night.
  • For the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe main event, ringwalks will be from 9.45pm.
  • Don’t miss the big Selhurst Park bill live on Sky Sports.

He believes this version of Okolie would beat either Billam-Smith or Richard Riakporhe in his new 224lb weight class.

“He’s a force to be reckoned with. He wasn’t the guy I’ve seen on TV holding,” McGowan said of Okolie.

“If they could [move up] I think Lawrence knocks them both out.”

Final remaining tickets for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe available via Boxxer.com.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW

Chris Billam-Smith admits nickname of ‘The Gentleman’ is deceptive as he plans brutal fight with Richard Riakporhe | Boxing News

Chris Billam-Smith admits nickname of ‘The Gentleman’ is deceptive as he plans brutal fight with Richard Riakporhe | Boxing News



Chris Billam-Smith’s nickname of ‘The Gentleman’ is fitting for a family man who holds local charities close to his heart, but the WBO champion has prepared for a “brutal” revenge mission.

Billam-Smith has sharpened his skills for a treacherous WBO cruiserweight title defence against Richard Riakporhe in front of the challenger’s home crowd at Selhurst Park on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

However, at home, when spending time with his loved ones, there is a vastly-different approach from Billam-Smith, a husband and father.

“Boxing is a sport where you can’t be the person you need to be around your family,” said Billam-Smith.

Billam-Smith got a cold response from Riakporhe when he predicted a knockout win

“It’s a very brutal sport, and the mindset you have to get in on sparring days – you don’t really want your family to be around.

“When you’re around loved ones, you release oxytocin, which isn’t the hormone you need for boxing. You need a lot of adrenaline and testosterone.

“I’m quite good at turning that switch between being the boxing version of myself and the family version. It’s almost like you’re a character.”

It was at another Premier League stadium – the home of his beloved AFC Bournemouth – where he outpointed his former stablemate Lawrence Okolie just over a year ago.

The newly-crowned world champion dedicated the win to his mother who, before making a full recovery, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in her life.

“She’s always been my rock; my best mate,” he said. “We lived together for a while, just her and I, when my brothers had moved out and my mum and dad had split up.

“A couple of years ago I had my son, Frank, and she’s amazing with him. They’ve got a real, special bond. She’s definitely where I get my fighting spirit from.”

Away from boxing, there are two constants that will always be central to Billam-Smith’s life: family and Bournemouth.

As a well-supported, high-profile athlete, his presence is felt by a number of local charities; one of which, the Bournemouth Foodbank, he is an ambassador for.

After visiting their warehouse – which was full of food – and being told they had just one to two months’ worth of stock, he was, quite emphatically, left stunned by the magnitude of the charity’s work.

“My wife ended up in tears,” he said. “She just couldn’t believe it, seeing how many people are in dire need, especially now with the cost of living going up.

“It was eye-opening beyond belief, really. All the staff are lovely, and they put on some really good events.

“It’s more than just food. There’s some really amazing people down there who make such an important difference in the area.”

Watch the best moments from Riakporhe’s win over Billam-Smith by split decision in 2019

As a life-long Bournemouth fan, Billam-Smith has developed a strong partnership with his boyhood football club which, in turn, has opened the door to several opportunities.

He has, in a rather unconventional sense, learnt more about the players by hosting a brand-new series on the AFC Bournemouth YouTube channel, which is filmed at a local restaurant.

Billam-Smith asks a sequence of questions and the players can respond by either providing an answer or, if they are brave enough, tucking into an extra-hot chicken wing.

“It’s been great fun,” he said. “To host something like that – and I’m not known for my hosting skills – I was quite pleased with how I did in the end.

“It was very nerve-wracking for me at first, but to sit there with the lads was phenomenal.

“It is two of my favourite things in one place: AFC Bournemouth and Chicken & Blues.”

A closer relationship with the team has inspired Billam-Smith to consider which players would make the best boxers.

“Looking at the strength of Antoine [Semenyo], I think he’d be pretty handy, pretty powerful,” he said.

“Then you’ve got workhorses like Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie. I’m sure they’d be able to turn their hands to it as well.”

With an array of talent in both football and boxing, professional sport on the south coast has never shone brighter.

It is perhaps, for this reason, that Billam-Smith feels an added desire – beyond wishing to exact revenge on a former opponent – to come through his next fight in comprehensive fashion.

Ahead of Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe, we take a look back at some of the biggest stadium fights in British boxing history

While it was Riakporhe who emerged victorious following their first encounter back in 2019, a much-improved version of ‘The Gentleman’ will be looking to put on a more refined performance when they clash for the second time.

“[Riakporhe] is not a high work-rate fighter, and he won’t want to be that against me because I’d just tire him out,” he said.

“It’ll be interesting to see how he deals with my pace, which is always intense.”

Riakporhe has ruthlessly stopped his last five opponents, but, come fight night, Billam-Smith is confident he will negate his rival’s devastating power.

“I can just keep a really high work-rate, for a really long time,” he said. “My engine, my fitness and my heart is all there, and a lot of cruiserweights can’t live with that pace.

“Anyone in the world would struggle with that [pace], I believe.”

Final remaining tickets for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe available via Boxxer.com.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW

Scotland’s Euro 2024 opener against Germany an opportunity to land shock result – not a free hit, says Chris Sutton | Football News

Scotland’s Euro 2024 opener against Germany an opportunity to land shock result – not a free hit, says Chris Sutton | Football News


Scotland should not view their Euro 2024 opener against Germany as a “free hit” and can feed off any early-tournament nerves among the hosts to cause an upset, according to Chris Sutton.

The Scots get the competition up and running when they take on the hosts in Munich on Friday night, with Steve Clarke’s side also having to negotiate Switzerland and Hungary in Group A.

Scotland are the underdogs for the curtain-raiser, but Sutton believes there is no reason to fear the three-time European champions.

“What an opening game it’s going to be against Germany,” he told Sky Sports. “I flew over to Munich yesterday and I sense there isn’t a great level of expectation among the German public, which there normally is going into a major tournament.

Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour is hoping to start the Euro 2024 opener against Germany and go up against ‘one of the best midfielders in the game’ in Toni Kroos

“I think Scotland can view this as an opportunity and there are people out there thinking that this is a free hit for Scotland. I don’t view it that way.

“Under Steve Clarke, people will talk about their recent form in friendlies and they’ve won one out of their last nine games but they had some tricky fixtures in there and actually tested themselves.”

Scotland will be hell-bent on demonstrating they are not just in Germany to make up the numbers.

In their first and only previous meeting with the tournament hosts at a European Championship, the Germans ended Scotland’s hopes of Euro 92 progression with a 2-0 victory in Norrkoping.

Avenging that defeat will be in the back of the minds of those setting up camp in Munich, but manager Clarke must decide on a couple of selection conundrums, according to Sutton.

Scott McKenna says Scotland will do all the can to progress past the group stages of Euro 2024 as he looks to the Tartan Army to play their part

“We’ve learned from qualifying that Scotland are a really well-balanced team,” added the Sky Sports pundit. “There are areas of concern, of course.

“Scotland have a centre-back dilemma like England. Grant Hanley hasn’t played a lot of football at Norwich City this past season.

“But Clarke likes him and I suspect he will start. The other question mark is over who starts up front: Lawrence Shankland or Che Adams.

Ahead of their Euro 2024 opener, Paul Lambert and Billy Dodds reflect on Scotland’s last win against Germany 25 years ago

“I suspect Clarke will go with Adams, who is probably a better leader of the line but Shankland is a phenomenal finisher.”

“I’m looking forward to the game as Clarke and the players will view this as an opportunity and if Germany are slightly off it, I think they can get a positive result.

“If Germany are on form, at home, I can’t see how they don’t beat Scotland but you just never know.”

Much was made of Germany’s indifferent form last year.

John McGinn joins in some Bavarian dancing as Scotland arrive in Germany ahead of Euro 2024

Being a host nation means no qualification games and in 2023 they played 11 friendlies and won only three – against Peru, France and the United States – while losing six.

Amid that run, new boss Julian Nagelsmann took over in September and, since the turn of the year, Germany are unbeaten in four matches.

Wins against France and Netherlands preceded a goalless draw against Ukraine, which came before a victory over Greece last Friday.

The Scotland squad received a special send-off at Glasgow airport, as they departed for Euro 2024 in Germany

Even if performances have still been patchy, then they look to have found the way to get results just in time.

“Nagelsmann has come in quite late in the day and they had a couple of morale-boosting wins in March against the Netherlands and France. He’ll be hoping they can carry on that form.

“We’ve seen in recent years that Hungary can be a very awkward team and they’ve got some phenomenal players, led by Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke explains his decision to cut Craig Gordon and John Souttar from his final Euro 2024 squad and how they took the news

“The Swiss, albeit you feel they’re on the decline and have an ageing team, they’re still very capable. Clarke will have to make a decision on his midfield balance in those games.

“Will it be Billy Gilmour or Ryan Christie? Scott McTominay had a phenomenal qualifying campaign in terms of goals while John McGinn and Callum McGregor are both wonderful footballers.

“Scotland’s midfield stands up to most in this competition so it’ll come down to how brave they are on the ball, how are they going to get up the pitch and whether they can pray on a little bit of German hesitation if they’re not quite at it.”

Boyd: Fans will expect

Speaking on the Essential Euros podcast, Kris Boyd believes the Scotland squad will be under pressure and expected to produce results at Euro 2024

Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd:

“It’s been a long time coming. We’re looking forward to it, Steve Clarke has done an incredible job. I’m sure the boys will be ready.

“Whatever happens, the Tartan Army make the tournament. Everybody has travelled. They will be well behaved and have the banter that goes with the kilts.

“We have to go there with belief to get out the group – that would be success although it’s a difficult group. It’s going to be a great occasion on Friday night but the two games after that will be just as difficult. Hungary have been at the last three Euros and Switzerland qualify for every tournament. The other two nations have some big names and all this Germany on home soil.

Kris Boyd discusses how Scotland will approach their Euro 2024 opener against Germany and believes the team are not at the tournament to just make up the numbers

“We need to get away from Scotland just being happy to turn up. It’s a negative mindset. We have to go and enjoy it but Clarke won’t be speaking to the players like that. There’s a chance for Scotland to get out of this group.

“John McGinn is one goal behind Ally McCoist and level with Kenny Miller, so it’s an unbelievable achievement for a midfielder. Since Clarke has come in, McGinn’s levels have gone through the roof. Scott McTominay has been Scotland’s best player, even when playing for Manchester United he’s done well.

“It’s a fresh start for the players. These players are under pressure every week with their clubs. Andy Robertson, under pressure. Callum McGregor, under pressure. It will be the same for Scotland. The fans will expect.”

Who will Scotland face on Friday night?

Take a look at the best bits from Jamal Musiala’s 2023-2024 season with Bayern Munich

Germany are packed full of world-class players starting in goal with 38-year-old Manuel Neuer, albeit he recently made a high-profile blunder in Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

The defence can boast experience in Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.

Germany have also been boosted by the return of midfielder Toni Kroos after a long absence. The midfielder has 109 caps and will finish his football career after this tournament.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan of Barcelona and Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich both had spells at Manchester City while Pascal Gross is a team-mate of Billy Gilmour’s at Brighton.

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz scored in last week’s friendly win over Greece and evergreen 34-year-old forward Thomas Muller has a remarkable 45 goals in 129 caps.

Musiala: Scotland should be worried

Jamal Musiala insists Scotland should be worried about Germany if the hosts hit form straight away.

The 21-year-old Bayern Munich attacking midfielder, who represented both England and Germany at youth level, spoke about the challenge posed by the Scots in the Group A encounter.

He told www.dfb.de: “We are very variable, can change teams and always cause problems for the opponent.

“It is important that we focus on playing well ourselves, then Scotland will be more worried about us than we are about them.

“Since the last World Cup, I have made physical progress and improved my game as a whole. It is my goal to continue to develop from year to year.

“I like it best when I have the security of being protected by the defence and being able to move freely. I felt really comfortable in the last few international matches.”

Scotland’s record against Germany

On the face of it, Scotland’s record against the Germans is not too bad – winning four and drawing five of their 17 meetings.

However, Scotland have never beaten them in a competitive game.

In tournament finals, Germany won the 1986 World Cup encounter 2-1 and recorded a 1-0 win at Euro 92.

Scotland’s last victory in the fixture was in 1999 when Don Hutchison, earning his second cap, scored the winner in a 1-0 friendly win in Bremen.

The most recent meeting between the sides was in September 2015 when Germany won 3-2 in a European Championship qualifier at Hampden.

Grant Hanley and James Forrest remain from the Scotland squad while Germany had Neuer, Kroos, Muller and Gundogan in their line-up. Muller scored twice and Gundogan got the winner.

FREE STREAM: Watch Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at the final press conference ahead of world title fight | Boxing News

FREE STREAM: Watch Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at the final press conference ahead of world title fight | Boxing News



Exclusive live coverage of the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe press conference from London

Long-time rivals Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe go head-to-head at the final press conference ahead of their WBO cruiserweight world title fight.

The champion Billam-Smith is seeking revenge for his 2019 loss to the Londoner and will put his title on the line at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium this Saturday live on Sky Sports.

Watch the live stream of their final press conference from 1pm.

The undercard sees rising light-heavyweight sensation Ben Whittaker take on outspoken opponent Ezra Arenyeka.

Isaac Chamberlain meets Jack Massey in what promises to be a closely contested European cruiserweight championship clash. The winner of that fight will expect to move on to world level and will have a close eye on the main event.

Dan Azeez looks to bounce back from his first defeat in February to Joshua Buatsi. He will fight Hrvoje Sep, the latter an elite amateur looking to make an impact as a professional.

Francesca Hennessy and more will also be on the bill.

Final remaining tickets for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe available via Boxxer.com.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW

Richard Riakporhe’s rise from near death to Selhurst Park dream world title fight against Chris Billam-Smith | Boxing News

Richard Riakporhe’s rise from near death to Selhurst Park dream world title fight against Chris Billam-Smith | Boxing News



Selhurst Park is only a few miles from the Aylesbury Estate in south London, where Richard Riakporhe grew up.

But Riakporhe has come a terribly long way to reach this point when, on Saturday, he fights for a world title at the Crystal Palace ground.

To challenge for the WBO championship this weekend, live on Sky Sports, at the stadium of the football club he supports, in a rematch against British rival Chris Billam-Smith for him is the stuff of dreams.

It marks the culmination of a journey that he almost didn’t get to start. When he was just 15, Riakporhe was the victim of a stabbing that he was lucky to survive. He still bears the scar from that brush with death. It’s a reminder now of how he changed his whole life.

Chris Billam-Smith got a cold response from Richard Riakporhe when he predicted he will retain his WBO world title by knockout on Saturday night.

“I came off the streets straight into the boxing gym,” he told Sky Sports. “I came through the hard way.

“I learned like a true apprentice.”

The Lynn, the oldest boxing club in the country and an institution in south east London, set him on that new path.

“I fell in love with the sport. It gave me purpose, it gave me drive, it gave me something to do, kept me out of a lot of trouble and before you know it, before long I was actually competing for amateur championships,” Riakporhe said.

“I said you know what, I want to pursue my passion and my passion was boxing. I just felt like it was perfect for me and who I am as a human being. I’m very ambitious. I always wanted to work towards something in my life and it just matched everything.”

Don’t miss our latest episode of ‘The Gloves Are Off’ featuring cruiserweight rivals Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe.

He didn’t even realise he had a unique quality that would subsequently mark him out as a professional – his fearsome punch power.

In his first amateur bout, he hesitated. He backpedalled.

“I didn’t want to get hit. I always believed as an amateur that everybody possessed the same power that I did. I thought it was normal to be able to punch like that. I didn’t want to get hit with that type of power so I was just always moving and then when I landed my shots the fight was over. I knocked him out in the first round,” Riakporhe recalled.

“It was a run of KOs. I remember going in the championships and knocking out everybody to get to the finals. I was known for being a big puncher from way back then.”

Billam-Smith, on his own quest to avenge his only career defeat against Riakporhe, believes he can turn the Londoner’s power-punching into a weakness. He thinks Riakporhe relies too much on that power, waiting for a knockout and giving up rounds. That Billam-Smith fully intends to exploit.

Ahead of Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight world title fight with Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, take a look back at some of the biggest stadium fights in British boxing history.

Riakporhe naturally rejected that notion. “That’s complete nonsense,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m being lazy or not, whether I’m winning the rounds or not. There are fights that I’ve been in where I didn’t come with the intention to win the rounds. I just wanted the knockout.

“I’ve hit so many people that I know that when I land my shots I will cause a lot of damage, even if they don’t get knocked out.”

He did acknowledge: “It’s a blessing to have a skill like that but it can be a curse at the same time. It can make you a bit lazy.

“I’ve gone back to the gym and I’ve rectified that laziness and that’s what makes me even more dangerous now.”

This fight will be Riakporhe’s first attempt to win a world title, but he has beaten Billam-Smith before.

The Toe2Toe panel discuss the WBO cruiserweight world title fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe and whether Riakporhe’s natural power will be a problem again for Billam-Smith’s shaky defence.

“He has to rectify the loss. He has to get one back,” the Londoner said. “He can’t live with his own failure and that’s the blemish on his record to me.

“Because guess what, it’s actually brought him back full circle to me.

“So what does that mean? Have you really progressed? Because if you’d really progressed you wouldn’t be having to see the ‘Midnight Train’ once again. But we’re back here.”

He added: “I’m not giving ‘The Gentleman’ no more chance. There’s not going to be no trilogy. This fight is where it ends. I’ll do it again and that’s it. There’ll be no third chance for him.”

For Riakporhe winning this fight would “would mean everything”.

Ellie Scotney and George Groves share what they believe could make the difference in Chris Billam-Smith’s fight against Richard Riakporhe.

“Because we had a goal and the goal was to become world champion and to move on from there. I never thought that I would be able to perform on the ground of my favourite football team. Just to be able to represent Crystal Palace was enough for me. That done it for me. For them to entrust me with their brand, what they represent, as a fellow south Londoner that is very humbling, very humbling for me,” he said.

“I will do everything to make sure I bring that title, not only to win it for myself but also to bring to hope to everybody in south London. Everybody has their individual fights, things that they’re going through that nobody knows, just to be a kind of reference to them.

“Like if I can do it coming from my background, all the things that I had to overcome, being stabbed when I was 15, nearly dying, being a product of my environment, being able to make it out, everything was always a fight and I just want to be that kind of reference to them. That I’m one of you. I’m no superstar.

“I’m just a normal guy. A normal working class guy that just had dreams and was ambitious and I made something of myself.

“You can also do the same too.”

Only 30 per cent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW