Chris Billam-Smith v Richard Riakporhe: WBO cruiserweight champion relishing the revenge chance

WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith is relishing the chance to “avenge” the only loss on his professional record against Richard Riakporhe on 15 June.

The 33-year-old will face the undefeated Riakporhe in a rematch of their 2019 encounter.

“There’s added motivation for sure,” Billam-Smith told BBC Sport.

“I want to avenge the loss, get this mandatory out the way and then we can look at unifications in America.”

When the two English boxers met back in 2019, Riakporhe, 34, was victorious in a split decision win that saw Billam-Smith suffer a standing count in the seventh round.

Riakporhe, or ‘The Midnight Train’ as he is known, won the WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title on the night, but this time they will be fighting for world honours.

Both fighters have gone on to impress since, Riakporhe winning seven times and Billam-Smith 10.

‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith also picked up the WBO world title last summer when he defeated Lawrence Okolie in his hometown at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.

Billam-Smith will fight in a stadium for the second summer running when Selhurst Park hosts the world championship fight, marking the 100-year anniversary of the stadium being built.