The eagerly-awaited rematch between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe will take place at Selhurt Park on June 15th, Pro Boxing Fans understand.
Billam-Smith and Riakporhe locked horns for the first time back in 2019, where the latter squeaked through with a split decision victory.
Earlier this year, the pair agreed terms to run it back – this time with ‘The Gentleman’s WBO cruiserweight world title on the line – however fans have been waiting for news on a date and venue for weeks.
There had been rumblings the fight would land at Bournemouth FC’s Vitality Stadium, where Billam-Smith was crowned world champion against his former gym mate Lawrence Okolie last May.
However, Pro Boxing Fans has been reliably informed that the crunch rematch will take place instead at the home of Crystal Palace, of whom Riakporhe is an ardent supporter, in June.
One for the Palace faithful! 🔴🔵@R_Riakporhe | @Boxxer | @CPFC 🦅 pic.twitter.com/1AL3tPPq5p
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) January 21, 2023
It will be Billam-Smith’s first fight away from his hometown in over two years, though he will no doubt bring a decent chunk of passionate fans to South London.
Though he lost out to Riakporhe in their first meeting, ‘CBS’ has been in seamless form since, defeating the likes of Tommy McCarthy, Isaac Chamberlain and Mateusz Masternak alongside the Okolie victory.
Things have been moving at a slightly slower pace for the hard punching Walworth man, whose best victory in the same time frame is arguably a shopworn Krzysztof Glowacki.
Nevertheless, Riakporhe has still looked as destructive as ever in recent showings, stopping his last five opponents in eight rounds or less.
Despite being the champion, Billam-Smith will go into the summer showdown as a betting underdog, a label he and esteemed trainer have been given plenty of times before and will no doubt relish.
After the brilliant spectacle produced by Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke last month, British fight fans will be hoping for another domestic classic come June.
