Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe: Begin time, undercard, watch | Boxing Information

Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe collide in one of many greatest all-British fights of the yr this Saturday – here is all it is advisable know forward of their cruiserweight world title showdown. 

When is the Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe combat?

Riakporhe will problem Billam-Smith for the WBO cruiserweight world title in the principle occasion on Saturday June 15, with followers capable of tune in to observe a bumper undercard from 6.30pm stay on Sky Sports activities Motion or stream immediately with NOW.

The place is the Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe combat happening?

Billam-Smith loved the outburst of assist from his house followers when he dethroned former world champion Lawrence Okolie at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium final yr. Now it’s the flip of Riakporhe to take in the love of his south London trustworthy when he welcomes Billam-Smith to Selhurst Park, the house of his workforce Crystal Palace.

What to find out about each fighters?

Billam-Smith arrives as defending WBO cruiserweight world champion having clinched the belt by beating Okolie by way of majority resolution after flooring the Londoner 3 times in Bournemouth again in Might 2023. He has since retained the title by beating Mateusz Masternak following the Polish fighter’s eighth-round retirement in December.

Riakporhe is available in because the challenger with an ideal file to his identify having stopped every of his final 5 opponents, most not too long ago knocking out Dylan Bregeon within the second spherical in November.

Chris Billam-Smith stats

• Age: 33
• Top: 6ft 3in
• Complete fights: 20
• Document: 19-1 (13 KOs)

Richard Riakporhe stats

• Age: 34
• Top: 6ft 5in
• Complete fights: 17
• Document: 17-0 (13 KOs)

The place does the rivalry come from?

There may be historical past there. Riakporhe famously handed Billam-Smith the one defeat of his skilled profession up to now when he edged a split-decision victory at The O2 in July 2019.

Billam-Smith has since recurrently disputed the choice, with the judges scoring the combat 97-92, 95-94 and 93-96 in favour of Riakporhe.

Whereas it has served as a outstanding speaking level throughout the build-up, each males have performed down options their first combat will maintain any affect heading into Saturday.

Who’s on the undercard?

The Ben Whittaker present resumes because the Olympian encounters shock challenger Ezra Arenyeka, who made a reputation for himself by gatecrashing his opponent’s press convention forward of his final combat towards Leon Willings. In doing so the undefeated Arenyeka talked his option to a shot towards rising star Whittaker, who’s seeking to ship a message to any fighter considering of doing the identical factor.

Whittaker is 7-0 as knowledgeable following his unanimous-decision win over Willings in March, whereas Arenyeka enters 12-0.

Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KOs) returns to motion for the primary time since February’s unanimous resolution loss to Joshua Buatsi when he fights Hrvoje Sep (12-2).

Isaac Chamberlain (16-2, 8 KOs) challenges Poland’s Michal Cieslak (25-2, 19 KOs) for the European cruiserweight title following October’s win over Mikael Lawal to turn out to be British and Commonwealth champion.

Francesca Hennessy (3-0) additionally continues her rise to stardom, with the 19-year-old bantamweight prospect having emerged as some of the thrilling abilities in boxing.

What has been stated?

Chris Billam-Smith:

“If there’s more pressure on me then brilliant. I said that last year there was no more pressure in my career than that fight [against Okolie]. I loved it and I loved the pressure, and for me there’s this huge amount of pressure on me in this fight because there’s a legacy at stake.

“Me and Richard are the final two of the present crop of cruiserweights. Richard is the final one on the present British cruiserweight hitlist and I’ve simply bought to recover from the road.

“I believe he is an enormous step from the place he is been when it comes to headlining, the kind of opponent, the expertise that his opponents have had up to now and the place they’re at of their profession.

“This is a very hungry version of me. I’m a much better fighter than I was last time, that’s for sure, and much better than anyone he’s faced. I think it’s a big, big leap in levels.

“He thought he knew who I used to be, however within the final 18 months, I am a very totally different animal. The boldness has come on in leaps and bounds since we final fought, I am a harmful man and everybody is aware of that.”

Richard Riakporhe:

“He is bought one loss on the file, on his spectacular file. I am simply going to do it once more, that is the plan. I have to double that quantity, that is the goal, that is my aim.

“What makes it so significantly better and tantalising is that there is a world title belt on the road. I’ve the boldness already as a result of I beat him already. However as a result of this world title’s on the road, I really feel like I am simply able to go to a different place.

“I want to put on a performance that cannot be questioned. People are going to know the difference between me and ‘The Gentleman’. There’s a big difference. I believe that I’m a level above.

“I do consider that energy is sufficient to cope with Chris Billam-Smith. My energy specifically is sufficient to cope with him. Regardless of whether or not he is profitable rounds or not. I simply have to land the proper shot and he is gone.

“I’m going for the KO, that’s all I want to do. Chris Billam-Smith has made a big mistake. He’s going to be looking back 20 years from now, regretting taking this fight and I’m going to still be visiting him in his dreams like Freddy Krueger.”

Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title towards Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, stay on Sky Sports activities on Saturday June 15; Ben Whittaker and Dan Azeez characteristic on the undercard. You too can stream the occasion via NOW TV.