Richard Riakporhe is set to rematch Chris Billam-Smith on June 15 after taking a split decision win over him in 2019. For Riakporhe, this time it’s an opportunity to win a WBO cruiserweight title against a foe he once bested and he is quite confident that there’s nothing Billam-Smith will be able to do to stop his belt from getting taken.
As Riakporhe tells Sky Sports, he expects this to be Billam-Smith’s toughest fight yet because he’ll be facing someone who has already beaten him.
“It’s like an animal going into the slaughter house, but instead he’s conscious of it and there’s nothing he can do to stop that belt from being taken from him.
“He’s going to have do an operation and swap his chin for an iron chin, if he swaps it for an iron chin he’ll be able to do something about it,” said Riakporhe.
Billam-Smith naturally feels like he can turn his fortune around against Riakporhe in this sequel, but Riakporhe continues by countering that logic by saying Billiam-Smith came in as prepared as possible the first time around and still couldn’t overcome the obstacle, therefore this time should be no different.
If there’s any difference in this rematch, Riakporhe insists it’ll be because this time he knocks Billam-Smith out.