Ahead of their rematch on Saturday night (June 15), Richard Riakporhe firmly maintains his belief that Chris Billam-Smith is displaying signs of decline.
At Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace Football Club, the two Brits cross paths. The stakes are high, as Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title hangs in the balance. Rewinding five years, Riakporhe emerged victorious in a 10-round non-title contest against Billam-Smith, securing a split decision.
However, twelve-round contests present a unique challenge and the fighters themselves have undergone significant changes since 2019. In the span of time, Billam-Smith, with a record of 19-1 (13 KOs), has achieved a flawless record of 10 wins, including a remarkable triumph over Lawrence Okolie to secure the WBO title 13 months ago.
The Billam-Smith fighting style initially appears composed and in command, but it doesn’t take much time for the 33-year-old to enter into a fierce clash of determination and resilience. His indomitable spirit has often propelled him to victory, despite enduring significant opposition. However, there are concerns among some that the toll he has taken may be working against him, and there are indications that he may be declining. This sentiment is shared by the challenger for Saturday night’s title.
Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer captures Riakporhe’s belief that the champion’s prime is possibly behind them.
During today’s concluding press conference, Riakporhe, with a record of 17-0 (13 KOs), admitted, “Honestly, I haven’t really studied Chris. I attended his fights, but my focus was more on enjoying the sport of boxing. Occasionally, I come across comments about his performance, and to put it mildly, they haven’t been positive. Many have pointed out his decline.”
Upon realizing the deterioration, I became curious to investigate its causes. As I analyze the fights from a technical perspective, I notice numerous deficiencies. It’s simply a result of natural wear and tear. When you endure numerous blows and possess a resilient chin like CBS, it’s an inevitable scientific reality that cannot be evaded. We are unable to remain in our peak condition indefinitely.
Billam-Smith refused to entertain the notion that he is declining.
He responded, “He hopes for deterioration, that’s all he’s hoping for. But there won’t be any decline, and you’ll witness that on Saturday night.”
Although the decline of ‘The Gentleman’ is not yet proven, one undeniable fact is the stark contrast in experience between the two individuals. The champion, having already defended his world title once, has headlined his own stadium show at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium last year, in addition to hosting numerous indoor venue events in his hometown.
Dressed impeccably as a champion, he dismisses all allegations suggesting his decline. Picture credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer.
Earlier today, when questioned by host Andy Scott, Billam-Smith openly addressed and demonstrated his clear awareness of the subject matter.
“I will utilize the wealth of experience I gained from participating in world championship fights, including the intense training camps, being part of major shows, and headlining numerous events. This experience will greatly contribute to my performance. It is crucial to have this background before entering a stadium fight, especially since I have previously headlined shows in my home country and experienced the thrill of such significant occasions. This has prepared me well for the challenge of a stadium fight.”
On Saturday night, Riakporhe, hailing from South London, will enjoy the advantage of being the crowd favorite at Crystal Palace, the football club he passionately supports. This unique experience is something he eagerly looks forward to.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
I have eagerly awaited this opportunity for an extensive period, and my determination is relentless. I am prepared to seize this title and pursue additional titles with unwavering enthusiasm.
