Tag: Richard Riakporhe

Boxing

CBS-Riakporhe 2: June 15 promises jeopardy and much-needed clarity, in rematch for WBO world cruiserweight title

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Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe face off following the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe launch press conference ahead of their WBO...

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” →

Boxing

CBS-Riakporhe 2: Undercard presser as Isaac Chamberlain, Ben Whittaker return

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Having vacated his domestic honours last month, Isaac Chamberlain faces a stern test as he plots his way to world-level contention against European champion Michal Cieslak on the June 15 undercard – where he’ll undoubtedly have one eye on the main event between former foe Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe, who beat the WBO world champion five years ago. Continue reading “CBS-Riakporhe 2: Undercard presser as Isaac Chamberlain, Ben Whittaker return” →

Boxing

Billam-Smith bullish, unpicks Riakporhe’s big weakness before their title rematch

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Chris Billam-Smith looks on Media Workout at Camden Boxing Club on January 31, 2024 in London, England.

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” →

Boxing

Riakporhe jaws at Billam-Smith during interview, rematch set for WBO world title

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Richard Riakporhe poses for a photo following victory over Dylan Bregeon in the Cruiserweight Contest fight at The Halls Wolverhampton on November...

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” →

Boxing

Buatsi scores two knockdowns, outboxes Azeez and inches closer to world title shot

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Joshua Buatsi celebrates victory with the belt following the British and Commonwealth Light Heavyweight title fight between Dan Azeez and Joshua...

Joshua Buatsi started sharp, invested in body attacks well and logged a pair of knockdowns in round 11 en route to a wide unanimous decision win over friend and former sparring partner Dan Azeez, inflicting his first professional defeat to unify domestic titles at light-heavyweight – as the clamour to see him finally tested at world level vs. long-reigning WBA champion Dmitry Bivol resumes.
Continue reading “Buatsi scores two knockdowns, outboxes Azeez and inches closer to world title shot” →

Boxing

Billam-Smith’s body shots force Masternak to retire after seven gruelling rounds, retains WBO cruiserweight world title

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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” →

Boxing

Wolves at the Door: Azim and Denny target European gold at BOXXER Wolverhampton

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Adam Azim and Tyler Denny look on at a press conference ahead of the 'Wolves At The Door' event at Astoria Wolverhampton on November 16, 2023 in...

Unbeaten light-welterweight prospect Adam Azim (9-0, 6 KOs) looks to win his first title this weekend against France’s Franck Petitjean as his steady rise continues. Meanwhile, having been overlooked for a shot at British honours despite multiple English title defences, middleweight Tyler Denny looks to do similar against Italy’s seasoned three-time champion Matteo Signani. Continue reading “Wolves at the Door: Azim and Denny target European gold at BOXXER Wolverhampton” →

Boxing

Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week

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Jai Opetaia during the IBF cruiserweight title fight between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on July...

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs. Continue reading “Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week” →

Boxing

Mateusz Masternak frontrunner for Billam-Smith’s first world title defence, October mooted

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Chris Billam-Smith carries their belt following victory in the WBO World Cruiserweight championship fight against Lawrence Okolie at Vitality Stadium...

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” →

Boxing

Billam-Smith beats Okolie via MD12, is new WBO world cruiserweight champion

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It was a slow start, very messy for sustained periods and physically gruelling as expected. Yet that all paled into insignificance for Chris Billam-Smith, who scored three knockdowns en route to a stunning world championship win over twelve rounds against now-former titlist Lawrence Okolie – his former stablemate – as 15,000 cheered their local hero on at the Vitality Stadium.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith beats Okolie via MD12, is new WBO world cruiserweight champion” →

Specials

Chris Billam-Smith interview: Riakporhe, visualisation, retirement plans and more before tonight’s world title fight

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So, we’re here now. The wait is over, a jam-packed Saturday schedule with three UK boxing shows featuring world title fights, but only one in a stadium. Chris Billam-Smith on home soil at Bournemouth’s Vitality in-front of 15,000, looking to dethrone unbeaten WBO cruiserweight champion and former stablemate Lawrence Okolie, achieving a dream many wouldn’t have thought possible.
Continue reading “Chris Billam-Smith interview: Riakporhe, visualisation, retirement plans and more before tonight’s world title fight” →

Boxing

Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more

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Light-heavyweight world contender Joshua Buatsi ended a 50-week layoff as he cruised to a decision victory over ten rounds against Poland’s Pawel Stepien, ending the 32-year-old’s unbeaten streak in Birmingham overnight. Given the fanfare surrounding his exclusive BOXXER deal, many were left short-changed.
Continue reading “Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more” →