Richard Riakporhe still believes Chris Billam-Smith is in decline ahead of the world championship rematch
RICHARD RIAKPORHE continues to believe that Chris Billam-Smith is showing signs of decline ahead of the rematch on Saturday night (June 15).
The two Brits meet at Selhurst Park – home of Crystal Palace Football Club – with Billam-Smith claiming the WBO cruiserweight title. Five years ago, Riakporhe was the winner of a non-title fight that went over 10 rounds, defeating Billam-Smith in a split decision.
However, 12-round contests are a different matter and the fighters themselves are a far different proposition from what they were in 2019. Since then, Billam-Smith, 19-1 (13 KOs) ), won 10/10, including that epic victory. victory over Lawrence Okolie to win the WBO belt 13 months ago.
Billam-Smith’s fighting style may start off poised and controlled but it usually doesn’t take long for the 33-year-old to engage in a battle of will, determination and endurance. belgium. When those unteachable qualities push him over the edge, he needs to absorb firepower going in the opposite direction to win. Some believe that the amount of money he has taken works against him and there are signs that he may go downhill. Something Saturday night’s title challenger agrees with.
Riakporhe believes the champion could have seen better days. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
Speaking at his final press conference today, Riakporhe, 17-0 (13 KOs), said: “To be fair, I never really watched Chris. I used to watch his fights but I watched it more as a boxing fan. And sometimes I’ll go see the comments about his performance. It wasn’t really good to say the least, a lot of people mentioned his decline.
“That’s when I thought let me see what this downturn is like. When I review matches from technical analysis, I see a lot of gaps. It’s normal wear and tear. When you take so many pictures and are blessed with a chin like CBS, it’s a science, you can’t avoid it – it’s impossible to stay in our prime forever.”
Billam-Smith rejects the notion that he is in decline.
“My answer to the downturn is he’s just hoping for it and that’s what he’s hoping for. There is no decline and you will see that on Saturday night,” he replied.
Although the decline of ‘The Gentleman’ is not a proven fact, one thing that cannot be denied is the difference in experience between the two films. The champion is making the second defense of his world title and hosts his own stadium show – at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium last year – alongside indoor events at home.
The champion is fit and booted but dismisses any claims that he is in decline. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
Billam-Smith is clearly aware of this and spoke about the subject when questioned by host Andy Scott earlier this morning.
“All the experience of world championship fights that I had… the camps, doing those big shows, headlining all those shows, [I’ll] Use that experience and go in and perform. Experience is everything before going into that stadium where I was lucky enough to headline the shows in my hometown and have that momentous occasion, it was a great experience to be a part of. Attend the match at that stadium.”
South London’s Riakporhe will be the home favorite on Saturday night with huge support at the home of the football club he supports – Crystal Palace. It was a completely new experience but one that he thoroughly enjoyed.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I’m just hungry. I am ready to challenge and win this title and challenge for more titles.”
