RICHARD RIAKPORHE still believes that Chris Billam-Smith is displaying signs of decline leading up to their rematch on Saturday night (June 15).
The two British fighters will face off at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace Football Club, with Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title at stake. Riakporhe had previously defeated Billam-Smith in a non-title bout five years ago over 10 rounds in a split decision victory.
However, a twelve-round championship fight presents a different challenge, and both fighters have evolved significantly since their last encounter in 2019. Since then, Billam-Smith, with a record of 19-1 (13 KOs), has achieved a remarkable unbeaten streak, including a notable win against Lawrence Okolie to claim the WBO title over a year ago.
Billam-Smith’s fighting style may appear controlled initially, but he often engages in a tough battle of will and resilience. While his ability to absorb punishment has led him to victory in the past, some observers believe that his style may be taking a toll on him, suggesting a decline. Riakporhe, the title challenger for Saturday night, shares this belief.
Riakporhe believes the champion may have seen better days. Pic: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
During the final press conference today, Riakporhe, with a record of 17-0 (13 KOs), expressed his observations, stating, “To be honest, I haven’t closely studied Chris. I’ve attended his fights as a boxing fan, but I’ve heard comments about his performances not being up to par. Many have mentioned his decline.”
He added, “When I watched his fights back from a technical perspective, I noticed several weaknesses. It’s a natural process of wear and tear. When you absorb too many punches and have a solid chin like CBS, it’s inevitable – you can’t stay at your peak forever.”
Billam-Smith promptly rejected any notion of his decline, stating, “I see the claims of deterioration as wishful thinking on his part. There is no decline, and that will be evident on Saturday night.”
While Billam-Smith’s decline remains unproven, the contrast in experience between the two fighters is undeniable. The champion is defending his world title for the second time, with previous experience headlining stadium shows in Bournemouth and other venues.
The champion suited and booted but rejects any claims he is on the decline. Pic: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
Billam-Smith acknowledged this experience advantage and emphasized its importance during a discussion with host Andy Scott earlier in the day.
“I will use all the experience from my world title fights, training camps, and headlining shows to deliver a strong performance. The experience gained from those big occasions will be crucial in this fight,” he stated.
Riakporhe, representing South London, will enjoy the support of the home crowd at Crystal Palace on Saturday night. This new experience excites him as he looks forward to seizing the opportunity and challenging for more titles.
“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity that I’ve been waiting for a long time. I’m hungry and ready to compete for the title and pursue further championships,” he exclaimed.