Richard Riakporhe has warned Chris Billam-Smith that he will share the ring with a “salivating Hyena” when the two men clash for the WBO cruiserweight world title at Selhurst Park on June 15.
The duo will meet for the second time in the ring when Billam-Smith defends his cruiserweight crown against Riakporhe, who emerged victorious via split decision in their first clash of 2019.
Billam-Smith became champion in May 2023 when he beat British rival Lawrence Okolie in a majority decision victory in front of his home fans at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. This time he steps into Riakporhe’s backyard as the south Londoner takes center stage at the home of his beloved Crystal Palace.
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Watch highlights from Riakporhe’s 2019 split decision win over Billam-Smith
“I’m really happy, finally my dream has come true, not only to fight for a world title but also to fight at Selhurst Park,” Riakporhe told Sky Sports.
“It’s amazing, I can’t wait to put on a show for the fans and retain the title in south London. The only thing that’s going to go off the rails is Chris Billam-Smith.
“He has experience, he is world champion, he has the title but I have the hunger, the will and he is fighting a salivating Hyena who hasn’t eaten in a week. It’s going to be a difficult fight for Chris Billam-Smith.”
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Highlights of Billam-Smith’s stoppage victory over Mateusz Masternak to retain his world title
Riakporhe had already predicted a first-round knockout against Billam-Smith and did not shy away from stoppage plans as the fight was announced on Tuesday.
“Chris Billam-Smith likes to talk a lot and sometimes I see things pop up on the feed, if I see him talking loudly on the feed I’ll finish him in three, if I see him at the press conference with funny shoes on. so I will kill him in two, if you show up, I will kill you in one,” Riakporhe added.
Billam-Smith joked he was “pretty comfortable in my shoes” and insisted he wasn’t thinking too much about his loss to Riakporhe, which remains his only career defeat as professional.
The 33-year-old has long maintained the belief he deserved to win the first fight after being the target of what he felt was an unfair decision by the referee.
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Highlights from Riakporhe’s devastating two-round TKO victory over Dylan Bregeon
“A much different fighter now, a different person, it’s finally here and I’m excited,” Billam-Smith said. “I’m glad the fight happened, it helped me gain experience and become the fighter I am today, it was my first real 50/50 fight, so good experience.
“It’s hard to watch when you know what you’re capable of.
“It doesn’t matter now, I continued to do good things.”
Billam-Smith produced the best performance of his career to dethrone Okolie last year, before successfully defending his title against Mateusz Masternak on December 10.
He says Riakporhe should expect a different version of him the second time around and is ready for the challenge of fighting in a potentially hostile environment.
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Watch Riakporhe’s reaction to Billam-Smith’s victory over Masternak
“I’ve improved in every area,” Billam-Smith said. “My boxing, my physique, my mindset, I’m a completely different fighter and person now, everything that comes with it, overall, I’m very happy with where I’m at.
“I think it’s good that it’s not Bournemouth in a way because it’s a new motivation, there’s a siege mentality that goes into someone’s garden to fight – it It’s this kind of world against you.
“It brings this new motivation, in which I thrive.”
Riakporhe comes in with a perfect 17-0 record as a professional, giving Dylan Bregeon his 13th knockout victory in December en route to a long-awaited title shot.
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Billam-Smith retained his WBO cruiserweight title after Masternak was unable to continue after injuring his ribs.
While Billam-Smith wished his opponent good luck for the remainder of training camp, Riakporhe made his intentions known.
“I will beat you without emotion on June 15 and your term is coming to an end,” he said.
“The Midnight Train will win.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15; Before that, Lauren Price fights for a world title for the first time when she meets Jessica McCaskill in Cardiff on Saturday May 11, also live on Sky.
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