Boxing: Billam-Smith Dominates Riakporhe to Retain WBO Cruiserweight Title
Chris Billam-Smith Delivers Career-Best Performance
On Saturday night at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, Chris Billam-Smith delivered what his trainer Shane McGuigan hailed as the best performance of his career, easing to a victory over Richard Riakporhe in the second defense of his WBO cruiserweight title.
Billam-Smith, 34, had suffered his only career defeat against Riakporhe back in 2019, but this time the tables were turned. The champion earned decisive scores of 116-111 and 115-112 (2) to avenge that earlier loss and prove his mettle.
“I’d like to think I boxed it to a tee,” said Billam-Smith, praising the game plan devised by McGuigan, whom he called “the best coach in the world.”
McGuigan Praises Billam-Smith’s Dominant Display
While Riakporhe, also 34, had moments of success with his powerful jab and raw punching power early on, Billam-Smith quickly adjusted and outworked his challenger over the 12 largely one-sided rounds.
McGuigan was equally effusive in his praise, stating that this may have been Billam-Smith’s “best performance” of his entire career.
“He never slipped up; never lost his shape; he frustrated him. He landed the shots and he won the fight so wide I was surprised at the scorecards,” the trainer remarked.
Billam-Smith Targets Unification Fights
With this impressive victory, Billam-Smith now sets his sights on unification fights, potentially against the likes of Gilberto Ramirez in the United States. His promoter, Ben Shalom, declared, “Never, ever, ever bet against Chris Billam-Smith” and affirmed that the champion “is here for a reason and he wants unifications next.”
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