Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe 2 – Results & Post Fight Report

The pair met in July 2019, where Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KOs) scored a seventh round knockdown at the O2 Arena, London, on the way to a split decision after ten rounds, and they had gone their separate ways since, with Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KOs) becoming world champion last May with a scrappy majority decision win against Lawrence Okolie, before forcing Mateusz Masternak to retire after eight rounds in his first defence last December. Riakporhe had steadily built his way up to world level, and was on a five-fight knockout streak.

After a scrappy and technical first three rounds, it was mainly a battle of the jabs, but when either would have success, it would quickly be stifled by holding by the other.

Billam-Smith was getting the better of what action there was, and his attacks were garnering more success than that of the challenger at halfway, but the pair finally opened up in the eighth, with Riakporhe landing a solid right hand, but again the champion had the final word.

Riakporhe came on strong in round nine, a massive right hand knocking Billam-Smith’s gumshield out, but he couldn’t sustain the success, and Billam-Smith remained slippery and first to the punch in the championship rounds.

Riakporhe was deducted a point for illegal use of the head in the final round, and that was the final nail in the coffin for him, as Billam-Smith retained his belt by two scores of 115-112, and a third at 116-111.

The showman that is Ben Whittaker (8-0, 5 KOs) claimed his first professional title, the vacant IBF International light heavyweight strap, with a landslide points win against Eworitse Arenyeka (12-1, 10 KOs). Whittaker went through the motions, and went ten rounds for the first time, running out a winner by scores of 100-89 and 99-90 (twice).

In an entertaining clash, Jack Massey became the new Commonwealth and European cruiserweight champion, as he took a points win against Isaac Chamberlain.

Massey (22-2, 12 KOs) made a good start, but Chamberlain (16-3, 8 KOs) warmed to his task after halfway in what looked a close contest. Both men tired down the stretch, and it was a war of attrition, but Massey prevailed by one score of 116-112, and two tallies of 115-113.

Dan Azeez (20-1-1, 13 KOs) was on the comeback trail after defeat to Joshua Buatsi in his most recent fight, but he suffered another setback, as he was held to an eight round draw at light heavyweight against Hrvoje Sep (12-2-1, 9 KOs). The referee scored the bout 76-76.

Fran Hennessey (4-0, 1 KO) went eight rounds for the first time as a pro, but didn’t have it all her own way in her bantamweight contest with Dorota Norek (7-5, 1 KO). The bantamweight came through a 77-75 winner.

Former English middleweight title challenger Mitchell Frearson (11-1-1, 1 KO) banked four rounds, and took a shutout points win against Marco Simmonds (2-2, 0 KOs), and cruiserweight hope Deevorn Miller (8-1, 6 KOs) halted Edwin Mosquera (12-5-2, 6 KOs) inside a round.

Heavyweight prospect Lewie Pochetty (2-0, 2 KOs) needed less than a round to knock out Tobie Vermeire (0-3-1).