What’s next for Chris Billam-Smith? After defeating Richard Riakporhe last weekend, he called for a unification against WBA kingpin Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. Jai Opetaia holds the IBF belt and Noel Mikalian is the WBC champion.
The Bournemouth boxer continues to prove the critics wrong. After defeating Lawrence Okolie for the WBO cruiserweight title in May 2023, CBS entered the Riakporhe manor to defend his title and get revenge. our man Eric Armit Decipher the winning code, round by round.
Round 1
Both are good talkers and Riakporhe hit Billam-Smith’s head with an early jab then landed a right. Riakporhe is inside. Billam-Smith connected with a right hook to the head and a left hook to the body. Riakporhe lands a jab and a right hand at distance. Riakporhe retained again and received two warnings.
Score: 10-9 Riakporhe
Riakporhe (left) tries to knock out champion Chris Billam-Smith (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Round 2
Billam-Smith twice sent Riakporhe to the ropes and landed to the body. Riakporhe held back again but without warning. Jabs land from Billam-Smith and a left uppercut. Riakporhe crossed with a jab and a right hook and Billam-Smith responded with a jab and a right hook.
Score 10-9 Billam-Smith (Draw 19-19)
Round 3
Billam-Smith scores with sharp jabs. Riakporhe was warned for being careless with his head twice and for a low punch. Billam-Smith overcame the jabs and Riakporhe was cautioned for heading the ball. They both scored with a jab and Billam-Smith with an uppercut. Too much contact and it was difficult for Riakporhe to throw punches.
Score: 10-9 Billam-Smith (Billam-Smith 29-28)
Round 4
Both the ground jab and Riakporhe have the right to take over the body. Billam-Smith lands two body shots. Riakporhe scored with a few jabs but Billam-Smith landed to the body. Riakporhe won the right to join the club. A round closes.
Score: 10-9 Riakporhe (Draw 38-38)
Round 5
Both hit the ground early. Billam-Smith connects with two left hooks to the body. Billam-Smith lands a few jabs, followed by a jab to the body. Riakporhe got through a jab but again, Billam-Smith landed.
Score: 10-9 Billam-Smith (Billam-Smith 48-47)
Round 6
They exchange jabs and Billam-Smith steps in with hooks to the body. Billam-Smith comes through with jabs and a right to the ribs. Billam-Smith lands hooks on the inside. Riakporhe is holding and not working on the inside but lands a heavy right.
Score: 10-9 Billam-Smith (Billam-Smith 58-56)
Round 7
Riakporhe lands a sneaking right and they both score with jabs. Billam-Smith executed an uppercut through Riakporhe’s guard and landed a right to the head. Billam-Smith gets a few body shots. Riakporhe lost his mouth guard.
Billam-Smith lands a good jab and Riakporhe misses with the right. Riakporhe just didn’t work hard enough and kept looking for ways to win. Billam-Smith threw a left hook to the head. Riakporhe connected with the right to join the club.
Score: 10-9 Billam Smith (Billam-Smith 68-65)
Round 8
More life from Riakporhe as he throws jabs and follows with a right, but he soon holds back. Billam-Smith scored with two jabs and a head kick. They stood and exchanged some strong head shots, both connecting, but then Riakporhe blocked, and Billam-Smith scored to the body. Billam-Smith is working inside, but Riakporhe is just holding out. Billam-Smith threw two punches at Riakporhe’s defender.
Score: 10-9 Billam Smith (Billam-Smith 78-74)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 15: Chris Billam-Smith punches Richard Riakporhe during the WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park on June 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Round 9
Riakporhe looked like a different fighter as he struck with authority and got in behind his jab as he began to work this round. He landed a powerful blow to the head that shook Billam-Smith but then he landed low and Billam-Smith had some time to recover. Billam-Smith threw jabs and a right punch but Riakporhe backed him into a corner and threw consecutive punches at him. Billam-Smith charged out of the corner and landed jabs and rights to the body. Riakporhe threw a left hook to the head but was held back.
Score: 10-9 Riakporhe (Billam-Smith 87-84)
Round 10
Billam-Smith penetrated Riakporhe’s defense with jabs and Riakporhe connected with a solid right. A series of jabs from Billam-Smith forced Riakporhe back but Riakporhe came back and threw powerful punches that missed the mark. Once again, Riakporhe just leaned in and held on tight.
Score: 10-9 Billam-Smith (Billam-Smith 97-93)
Round 11
Riakporhe on the back foot, rushes well and scores to the body. Riakporhe was strongly warned about his heading action. Riakporhe scored with a long right header and after a collision he scored another.
Score: 10-9 Riakporhe (Billam-Smith 106-103)
Round 12
Billam-Smith was busy shooting through Riakporhe’s defence. Riakporhe again did very little and leaned in and held. Billam-Smith repeatedly threw short punches, with Riakporhe losing his right hand. Riakporhe was warned about lunging forward with his head and when he did it again, the referee deducted a point* and seconds later warned Riakporhe again for holding his feet.
Score: 10-8* Billam-Smith (Billam-Smith 116-111)
Official score: 115-112 twice and 116-111 for Billam-Smith.
Analysis
Billam-Smith retained his WBO belt and reversed a decision loss to Riakporhe in 2019. He knocked out champion Lawrence Okolie three times as he won the title and mentioned hopes of unification against the champ WBA Gilberto Ramirez.
Riakporhe has won by KO/TKO in his last five fights and this is considered a money fight. However, Riakporhe disappointed when he did not play hard enough and wasted too much energy. He can still be a force, but he has to do better than he did in this fight.
