Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe: Main Statistics and Fight Background
The fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe will take place on June 15 in the United Kingdom. The WBO cruiserweight title (up to 90.7 kg), currently held by Billam-Smith, will be on the line.
Chris Billam-Smith
United Kingdom
33 y.o.
Weight Class: Cruiserweight (up to 90.7 kg)
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 19 wins, 12 by knockout, and 1 loss
Knockout Percentage: 68.42%
Total Career Rounds: 128
Height: 191 cm
Reach: Unknown
Last Fights:
8th round KO win – Tommy McCarthy
Unanimous decision win – Isaac Chamberlain
5th round KO win – Armend Xhoxhaj
Majority decision win – Lawrence Okolie
8th round RTD win – Mateusz Masternak
Knockout percentage in the last fights: 60%
Total rounds in the last fights: 45
Combined record of last opponents at the time of fighting Chris: 112 wins, 11 losses
Richard Riakporhe
United Kingdom
34 y.o.
Weight Class: Cruiserweight (up to 90.7 kg)
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 17 wins, 13 by knockout, and 0 losses
Knockout Percentage: 76.47%
Total Career Rounds: 77
Height: 196 cm
Reach: 196 cm
Last Fights:
5th round TKO win – Olanrewaju Durodola
8th round KO win – Dainon Jumah
2nd round TKO win – Fabio Turchi
4th round TKO win – Krzysztof Glowacki
2nd round TKO win – Dilan Prasovic
Knockout percentage in the last fights: 100%
Total rounds in the last fights: 21
Combined record of last opponents at the time of fighting Richard: 115 wins, 18 losses, 1 draw
Fight Background
A true British showdown will take place on the evening of June 15.
Billam-Smith managed to become the WBO champion in the spring of 2023 in a fight against Lawrence Okolie, even when everything was against him, including some judges. In that fight, Lawrence was knocked down three times (in the 4th, 10th, and 11th rounds) and had points deducted in the 5th and 7th rounds. Despite this, the decision was only a majority one, meaning one judge saw it as a rematch.
Riakporhe is on a streak of five consecutive knockouts, calmly and methodically dismantling one opponent after another, including Glowacki, who couldn’t capitalize on his experience.
This fight is one of the best that can be made in the cruiserweight division right now. The British fighters are in their prime, competing for a championship belt and a potential unification bout.
The winner will likely be in line for a fight against either Gilberto Ramirez, who became the first Mexican cruiserweight champion (WBA), or Jai Opetaia, who reclaimed his IBF title against Mairis Briedis but showed vulnerability against smart boxers.