Grudge Match: Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe Meet Ahead of June 15 Title Showdown

On Saturday, June 15, Chris Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) and Richard Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs) will meet in their highly anticipated rematch. Their clash will be for Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title, with the entire card streaming on Peacock for U.S. fight fans and on Sky Sports for those in the UK and Ireland. Ahead of their grudge rematch, the pair have exchanged words when speaking to Sky Sports.

Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe Meet on Gloves Are Off

Chris Billam-Smith Exchanges Words With Richard Riakporhe

When speaking to Sky Sports, world champion Billam-Smith was quick to dismiss his rival’s notion that they are equal, with the Bournemouth native insinuating his bitter rival avoided a fight with cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia: “We’re not level. Because I’ve won a world title and defended it. You’ve avoided a world.”

He added: “You were mandatory for Jai Opetaia, were you not? So why has that fight not happened before that?

The challenger quickly dismissed the notion he avoided a fight with Opetaia: “You shouldn’t speak on things that you don’t know,” said Riakporhe. “You don’t understand about the business side of boxing. It was out of my hands.”

Read More: Inside the Ring Rivalry: Chris Billam-Smith Sends Warning to Rival Cruiserweight

Riakporhe appeared annoyed and suggested he feels Billam-Smith undermines him: “You’ve done really well and I’ll give you your flowers,” said Riakporhe.

He continued: “You know what, if you want roses, I’ll give you that. If you want a white rose, I can give you that too. And I deserve flowers as well. So what flowers you going to give me, Chris?”

The London fighter added with annoyance: “In some of the interviews that I hear you do, you undermine me. I’m challenging for a world title, you’re the champion. We’re pretty much level.”

Different Levels and Dealing With Pressure

Billam-Smith went on to explain how he welcomes the pressure as it drives him on in creating a legacy: “I love that if there’s more pressure on me, then brilliant,” said Billam-Smith. “I said that last year there was no more pressure in my career than that fight [against Okolie], so I loved it and I loved the pressure.”

He continued: “And for me there’s a huge amount of pressure on me in this fight because there’s a legacy at stake.”

Read More: Chris Billam-Smith Defeats Mateusz Masternak in Bruising Fight

The champion added: “I think he’s a massive step up from where he’s been in terms of headlining, the type of opponent, the experience that his opponents have had in the past and where they’re at in their career.”

“This is a very, very hungry version of me. You never have a complete fighter, but I’m a much better fighter than I was last time, that’s for sure, and much better than anyone he’s faced. I think it is a big, big leap in levels.”

Watch Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith trade words on the latest edition of The Gloves Are Off on Sky Sports Action from 10 pm on June 9.