Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe: Fight time, undercard, odds, prediction, ring walks tonight

VaselineJune 15, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe: Fight time, undercard, odds, prediction, ring walks tonight

It’s been five years since the British cruiserweight rivals first clashed, which saw a thrilling full-card Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas finish with a split decision win for the unbeaten Riakporhe to give Billam-Smith his first and his only professional defeat. Date.

Now he is finally contesting a second high-profile fight at Crystal Palace, with Billam-Smith putting his WBO 200kg world title on the line for the second time after reeling off 10 straight wins since that defeat in the face of Riakporhe.

Having defeated the likes of Tommy McCarthy (twice) and Isaac Chamberlain in recent years, ‘The Gentleman’ overcame friend and former training partner Lawrence Okolie on an unforgettable night on home soil in front of a home crowd adoring crowd at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium last May, realizing his dream world title ambitions.

Billam-Smith, 33, 19-1, then returned to Bournemouth for a successful first defense in December as he forced an eighth-round retirement from veteran former European champion Mateusz Masternak.

Now he will look to avenge his only professional loss against Riakporhe, who is still undefeated at 17-0, having won all seven of his bouts since defeating Billam-Smith to retain the WBA Inter-Continental belt.

He also held the British and WBC silver cruiserweight titles but now makes his first world title challenge aged 34 after winning five in a row, including against former two-time champion Fabio Turchi interim WBO Krzysztof Glowacki and most recently France. Dylan Bregeon in Wolverhampton in November.

Rematch: Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe do battle again at Selhurst Park tonight

Action Images via Reuters

Riakporhe was previously the mandatory challenger for IBF gold but vacated that position last summer amid frustrations over negotiations with then-champion Jai Opetaia.

Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe date, start time, venue and ring walks

Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe takes place tonight, Saturday 15 June 2024, at Selhurst Park in Croydon, the home of Premier League football club Crystal Palace – of which Riakporhe is a big fan.

The match is part of celebrations marking 100 years since the south London stadium opened.

The main card is set to begin at around 19:00 BST, with main event ring walks at around 22:00. The first fight of the day will take place at 5.15pm with doors open from 4.30pm.

As always, those times can change.

How to watch Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe

TV Channel: In the UK, Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe is broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 6pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 9pm.

Live Stream: Those with a Sky Sports subscription can watch the action online via the Sky Go app.

Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe fight book/full match sheet

On Saturday night, Isaac Chamberlain continues his comeback from a grueling Summer 2022 loss to Billam-Smith as he battles late replacement challenger Jack Massey for the vacant European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles.

Chamberlain was originally due to face Poland’s Michal Cieslak, only for the latter to withdraw due to injury last month.

Thrilling Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker fights for the eighth time as a professional against Nigeria’s Ezra Arenyeka, with the vacant IBF International and WBA light heavyweight titles.

Dan Azeez will be looking to bounce back from losing his British and Commonwealth light heavyweight titles to Joshua Buatsi in February, with rising star Francesca Hennessy also on the bill.

Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe

Isaac Chamberlain vs. Jack Massey

Ben Whittaker vs. Ezra Arenyeka

Francesca Hennessy vs Dorota Norek

Deevorn Miller vs. Edwin Mosquera

Mitchell Frearson vs. Marco Simmonds

Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe prediction

Riakporhe had the upper hand the last time these two British rivals met in a tight and absorbing contest, with the judges returning scorecards 97-92, 95-94, 93-96.

In the end, his formidable power eventually told, with the otherwise extremely durable Billam-Smith bloodied in the seventh round and receiving a standing count from the referee.

But the Bournemouth favorite has gone from strength to strength since then as he competes at a higher level and will be full of confidence to avenge his only career loss.

Riakporhe won in 2019 over British rival Billam-Smith in the cruiser category.

Getty Images

We expect another exciting war that really could go either way, but this time with Billam-Smith using all his experience and doing enough to overshadow another close decision.

Billam-Smith will win a thrilling contest on points.