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Tomorrow night should see Jai Opetaia make the third defence of his IBF world cruiserweight title. Instead, it’s for a vacant belt in a rematch against the man who inflicted a double jaw break against him, less than two full years ago. Having made light work of two Brits in-between, the Aussie is on a mission to unify the cruiserweight division – and disrespect has fuelled that intensity. Continue reading “Disrespected, denied but stronger for the experience: Jai Opetaia is going nowhere”
A month shy of five full years since their first fight, a competitive clash over ten rounds on Dillian Whyte’s undercard, Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe headline their own show at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium on June 15. Their paths have veered vastly differently since that night in south London, but now they do battle again – one a defending world champion with Stateside ambitions, the other expects to prove he’s been the better man all along.
Continue reading “CBS-Riakporhe 2: June 15 promises jeopardy and much-needed clarity, in rematch for WBO world cruiserweight title”
No date has yet been set for their heavily-anticipated rematch, but WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith is confident he can avenge defeat against long-time contender and British rival Richard Riakporhe, who inflicted his only career defeat to date via split decision five years ago.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith bullish, unpicks Riakporhe’s big weakness before their title rematch”
Long-standing cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe will get his maiden shot at championship gold in a rematch against WBO world champion Chris Billam-Smith, five years after edging a split decision win over ten rounds when both were 9-0 prospects. While a date in April or May is TBC, the 34-year-old was angry during an awkward interview between them in Saturday’s Sky broadcast. Continue reading “Riakporhe jaws at Billam-Smith during interview, rematch set for WBO world title”
It was far from straightforward, but WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith produced an inspired seventh round packed with body shots which eventually saw challenger Mateusz Masternak retire on his stool before the start of round eight, retaining world honours at 200lbs in an eventful first title defence at a tense Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday evening. Continue reading “Billam-Smith’s body shots force Masternak to retire after seven gruelling rounds, retains WBO cruiserweight world title”
Having dethroned Lawrence Okolie on a magical night in Bournemouth seven months ago, WBO world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith makes his first title defence against Mateusz Masternak this Sunday – most expect him to win comfortably. There’s a quiet air of confidence surrounding the Pole and his team before the 36-year-old’s first world title shot, with his showing against Tony Bellew on UK soil a theory behind that. So, what happened that night?
Continue reading “Fight rewind: Masternak pushed Tony Bellew close for Euro title, in 2015 battle”
A deep cut above his left eye means he won’t be back sparring again until August, but it appears newly-crowned WBO world cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith will have a voluntary title defense on home soil later this year. Continue reading “Mateusz Masternak frontrunner for Billam-Smith’s first world title defence, October mooted”
10 days after he shook off the cobwebs in a drab-but-dominant world title defence against mandatory challenger David Light, WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was surveying the scene in a Marylebone hotel. Why? A quick turnaround awaits in a tough ask on enemy soil down the south Coast, against friend Chris Billam-Smith and former trainer Shane McGuigan.
Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27”
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