A rematch five years in the making will headline Crystal Palace football stadium when Chris Billam-Smith defends his WBO cruiserweight championship against Richard Riakporhe in an all-British shootout on June 15.
Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) won the title from Lawrence Okolie last May and has made one successful defense against Mateusz Masternak. The only blemish on his record is a 10-round split decision defeat to Riakporhe in 2019, which Billam-Smith still disputes to this day.
Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs) is one of the hardest hitters in the cruiserweight division. Last year, the Englishman scored crushing stoppage wins over both former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki and Dylan Bregeon, so his confidence is sky-high coming into his first world title fight.
The Sporting News provides odds and a final prediction for this eagerly anticipated rematch.
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2 betting odds
Per BetMGM, Riakporhe is the -225 favorite while Billam-Smith is the +188 underdog. The draw is +1600.
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2 trends
There are currently no betting trends for this fight. The Sporting News will update this section as and when the information becomes available:
- Billam-Smith via KO/ TKO/ Tech. Dec/ DQ: N/A
- Billam-Smith via decision: N/A
- Riakporhe via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/ DQ: N/A
- Riakporhe via decision: N/A
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2 prediction, best bets
When Billam-Smith defeated Okolie to pick up the WBO title last year, there were expectations that he would continue to improve. However, the Englishman looked way below par in his maiden defense against veteran Mateusz Masternak and had to come from behind to secure a stoppage.
There’s no overstating the importance of trainer Shane McGuigan to Billam-Smith. The pair have been together since the Bournemouth fighter turned professional and that working relationship has made him the fighter he is today. McGuigan will have his charge in the best shape possible.
However, over the last couple of years, Riakporhe has been working with Angel Fernandez, who appears to have made a big difference to the challenger’s attributes. In recent fights, the Londoner has displayed a tighter and more structured offense, but his hitting power is still formidable, as evidenced by a five-fight knockout streak.
I believe Riakporhe is fresher at 34 than Billam-Smith is at 33. As the odds suggest, it’s a difficult fight to call, but I sense that Riakporhe will come of age with a statement performance. I foresee the challenger securing a stoppage somewhere after the midway mark.
Sporting News prediction: Riakporhe TKO 8 (Per BetMGM: -225)
Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe 2 fight info
- Date: Saturday, June 15
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. UK (Main event ringwalks approx. 5 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. UK)
- TV: Peacock (US), Sky Sports (UK)