Chris Billam-Smith looks to continue his reign as WBO cruiserweight champion when he defends his title against Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park in London on June 15. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on Peacock in the U.S.
A two-time English National Championship silver medalist, Billam-Smith (19-1) started boxing at 16 and turned pro in 2017. "The Gentleman" lost against Riakporhe in 2019 and has won nine fights since. He won the Commonwealth cruiserweight title that year and the coveted British cruiserweight championship in 2021.
Billam-Smith defeated former stablemate Lawrence Okolie last year and has successfully defended the belt once.
Though he is the +188 underdog (per BetMGM), the amiable Englishman is ready to defy the odds at the home of Crystal Palace F.C.
“It’s a huge fight. I’m a football fan, I’m at another football stadium. When I finish my career, I’ll be able to say I won a world title in Bournemouth, defended it at Selhurst Park – that’s pretty special for me. That gives me goosebumps. There’s that siege mentality. Let’s go. I love it because I’ll be the underdog heading into this fight as well,” Billam-Smith said via BoxingScene.
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Riakporhe (17-0) won the British cruiserweight title in 2019. The 34-year-old has 13 wins via knockout and has won five straight contests via the power punch.
On the Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe undercard, local fighters compete for gold while a flashy prospect looks to continue his impressive win.
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe card.
Isaac Chamberlain vs. Jack Massey
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Chamberlain record: 16-2
- Massey record: 21-2
- Belts at stake: Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles
Isaac Chamberlain faces Jack Massey, with the former defending the Commonwealth cruiserweight title and fighting for the vacant European belt.
Chamberlain (16-2) is on a two-fight win streak. A sparring partner of former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, he beat Mikael Kawal in October to win the British and Commonwealth crowns.
Massey (21-2) is a former European champion who had his four-fight win streak snapped in January of last year by former WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker. He bounced back in his last fight with a TKO win.
Ben Whittaker vs. Ezra Arenyeka
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Whittaker record: 7-0
- Arenyeka record: 12-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Ben Whittaker faces Ezra Arenyeka.
Whittaker (7-0) is a 2020 Olympic silver medalist. "The Surgeon" turned pro in 2022, won two fights in 2023, and has already won two in 2024. Whittaker is a showboater known for dancing in the ring before punishing the opposition.
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Arenyeka (12-0) competes in the U.K. for the first time since 2022. "African King" has won all but two fights via knockout.
Dan Anzeez vs. Hrvoje Sep
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Anzeez record: 20-1
- Sep record: 12-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Dan Anzeez vs. Hrvoje Sep.
A three-time ABA South of England champion, Azeez (20-1) won the English light heavyweight title in 2019 and the Commonwealth title in 2022. "Super" had his unbeaten streak snapped against Joshua Buatsi in February for the British and Commonwealth belts.
Sep (12-2) competes in the U.K. for the first time. The Croatian is 2-2 in his last four fights.
Francesca Hennessy vs. Dorota Norek
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Hennessy record: 3-0
- Norek record: 7-4
- Belts at stake: N/A
Francesca Hennessy and Dorota Norek face off at bantamweight.
A two-time National Champion, Hennessy (3-0) is looking for her second win of 2024.
Norek (7-4) is 1-2 in her last three fights. The Polish fighter has one win via knockout.
Deevorn Miller vs. Edwin Mosquera
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Miller record: 7-1
- Mosquera record: 12-4-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Deevorn Miller faces Edwin Mosquera.
Miller (7-1) has won five fights via knockout. The 28-year-old looks to go 3-0 in 2024.
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Mosquera (12-4-2) competes in the U.K. for the first time. The Colombian is on a two-fight win streak after being on a four-fight losing streak.
Mitchells Frearson vs. TBA
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Frearson record: 10-1-1
- TBA record: TBA
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Mitchell Frearson faces an opponent TBA.
Frearson (10-1-1) had a rebound win in May after losing against Brad Pauls for English middleweight gold last September.
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, June 15
- Time: 2 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST (Sun)
- Location: Selhurst Park — London
- Channel: Peacock (U.S. - $5.99)/month) | Sky Sports (U.K.)
- Watch from anywhere via NordVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
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