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Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2 – Huge Fight Preview and Predictions

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Chris Billam-Smith dropped Lawrence Okolie three times along the way to becoming the new WBA Cruiserweight Champion. Photo Credit: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER

CBS and Riakporhe clash once again - this time the world title is at stake.  (Image source: Sky Sports)
CBS and Riakporhe clash once again – this time the world title is at stake. (Image source: Sky Sports)

Crystal Palace fan Richard Riakporhe will fight for the WBO cruiserweight world title, currently held by his aged rival Chris Billam-Smith, at Selhurst Park this weekend.

Boxxer is promoting the Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe 2 fight and the bill is still on Heavenly sports in UK.

It will be a repeat of the 2019 match at the O2 Arena in London, which took place over ten rounds. On that occasion, a seventh-round knockout in Riakporhe’s favor helped the Londoner win a split decision, but since that night both have matured and developed.

Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KO) has since won ten times, winning the Commonwealth title in his next outing before adding a British and European crown in July 2021 after a lopsided verdict over Bournemouth champion Tommy McCarthy the man was knocked out in the eighth game in a rematch nine months later.

Billam-Smith defended himself in December last year, forcing Mateusz Masternak to withdraw after eight rounds, and he was two cards behind at the end of the match.

Chris Billam-Smith knocked down Lawrence Okolie three times on his way to becoming the new WBA cruiserweight champion.  Photo credit: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER
Chris Billam-Smith knocked down Lawrence Okolie three times on his way to becoming the novel WBA cruiserweight champion. Photo credit: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER

Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KO) also remained unblemished, but the 34-year-old chose a different path, slowly building his position in the world rankings.

“The Midnight Train” has five straight early wins, with the last three coming in four rounds, starting with a second-round body shot stoppage of Fabio Turchi in June 2022. Former world champion Krzysztof Głowacki was stopped in four rounds in early 2023, with Riakporhe last eliminated in November 2023, stopping Dylan Bregeon for two.
Riakporhe is in devastating shape (Photo: Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER)
Riakporhe is in devastating shape (Photo: Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER)
Chamberlain and Massey are fighting for European honors and the return of Ben Whittaker

The main support will also be provided by the cruiserweight category, where Isaac Chamberlain (16-2, 8 KO) will defend the Commonwealth belt in a fight against Jack Massey (21-2, 12 KO). There is also a vacant European champion title up for grabs.

Chamberlain lost in a thriller to Chris Billam-Smith in July 2022, but his latest performance proved impressive as he won the British and Commonwealth titles, scoring heavily with Mikael Lawal.

The Chamberlain vs. Lawal fight was one-sided (photo: Boxxer / Lawrence Lustig)
The Chamberlain vs. Lawal fight was one-sided (photo: Boxxer / Lawrence Lustig)

Massey lost to Richard Riakporhe for the vacant British belt in 2019 and lost a heavyweight decision to Joseph Parker in January last year, but has been out just once since then – a one-round stoppage win over Steve Ntere January.

The brilliant and brash Ben Whittaker (7-0, 5 KO) wins his first professional belt, and “The Surgeon” can claim the vacant IBF International lithe heavyweight title after defeating Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka (12-0, 10 KO).

The rest of the subcard

Dan Azeez (20-1, 13 KO) returns after a defeat to Joshua Buatsi, and the lithe heavyweight fighter should have an easier time scoring points against Croatian Hrvoje Sep (12-2, 9 KO).

Azeez will want to recover from Saturday's defeat to Buatsi (Lawrence Lustig, Boxxer)
Azeez will want to recover from Saturday’s defeat to Buatsi (Lawrence Lustig, Boxxer)

Fran Hennessy (3-0, 1 KO) will face Dorota Norek (7-4, 1 KO) for the first time in history in the bantamweight division.

Prospective cruiserweight Deevorn Miller (7-1, 5 KO) can win at the distance in the scheduled six-round fight with Edwin Mosquera (12-4-2, 6 KO).

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UK Boxing

Johnny Fisher vs. Alen Babic – Results and Fight Report

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Fisher celebrates as Babic is stopped Photo Credit: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

Johnny Fisher knocked out Alen Babic in the first minute of their fight at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Johnny Fisher knocked out Alen Babic in the first minute of their fight at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Johnny Fisher brought an army of fans to the Copper Box Arena and needed less than 40 seconds to defeat Alen Babic in their heavyweight fight.

Babic (12-2, 11 KOs) has built a reputation as a respected contender and unsuccessfully challenged for the WBC bridgeweight title last April against Lukasz Rozanski before defeating Steve Robinson in March. Fisher (12-0, 11 KOs) came in as a abrasive prospect and built a solid record, stopping Dmytro Bezus in a round in his last outing in February in Las Vegas.

The meeting between the two competitors lasted very miniature, because after several sweeping blows with his right and left hands, Babić fell to the mat and lost balance on his feet, and the referee stopped the fight.

Fisher opened the door to a confrontation with Dave Allen in his post-fight press conference.

“I love Dave Allen” 25 years old he said.

Fisher celebrates stopping Babic Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
Fisher celebrates stopping Babic Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

“I would like to have the opportunity to fight him.

“He was the first professional I ever sparred with, I was only 18/19 and studying at the University of Exeter.

“I really didn’t know what I was doing.

“He pummeled me demanding for six rounds.

“I grew up watching Dave Allen and was motivated by him.

“It would be an honor to share the ring with him.”

Bellotti defeats Giles

In the previous fight, Reece Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth titles against Levi Giles (15-2, 4 KOs), winning clearly on points.

Bellotti (19-5, 14 KOs) maintained the lead by two points 118-110 and a third 117-110.

Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth titles. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Bellotti defended his British and Commonwealth titles. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Hedges is the South Region Champion

John Hedges won the vacant Southern Area title, defeating Lewis Oakford by technical decision.

Oakford (5-1) suffered a cut above his left eye and the fight was eventually stopped, with Hedges (10-0, 3 KOs) emerging victorious by two scores of 59-56 and a third of 58-57.

Courtney stunned by Zapotoczna

Flyweight contender Maisey Rose Courtney (6-1) suffered the first defeat of her career, falling to Jasmina Zapotoczna (8-1).

After ten rounds the guests won 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.

Courtney suffered her first professional defeat in a fight against Zapotoczna. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Courtney suffered her first professional defeat in a fight against Zapotoczna. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Remaining subcard

In six-round bouts, Giorgio Visioli (4-0, 3 KO) went the distance for the first time, winning all six rounds in the super featherweight division against Tampela Maharusi (10-7-4, 5 KO), while in the middleweight division Jimmy Sains (6-0, 6 KO) remained unbeaten, winning by fifth-round submission against Damien Lacoudray (3-2-1, 1 KO).

Popular super welterweight contender Emmanuel Buttigieg (5-0, 1 KO) won all six rounds in his fight against Jiri Hauke ​​​​(4-5, 2 KO).

The only four-round fight came in the heavyweight division, with Lewie Pochetty (3-0, 2 KO) winning all four rounds against Amine Boucetta (8-14).

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UK Boxing

Ryan Garcia Apologizes, Admits: ‘I Struggle With Substance Abuse’

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Garcia’s apology is in reference to comments he made on social media, in which the embattled boxer used Islamophobic language, referenced human trafficking and pedophilia, and used a racist term to refer to African-Americans.

As a result of Garcia’s actions, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman effectively banned Garcia due to his unpredictable online behavior. “Using my authority as president of the WBC, I hereby bar Ryan Garcia from all activity within our organization,” Sulaiman said in a statement.

“We reject any form of discrimination. I am concerned for (Ryan’s) well-being as he has repeatedly rejected our attempts to support him with his mental health and substance abuse issues.”

Following Sulaiman’s punishment, Garcia’s family also spoke out about the boxer’s comments and distanced themselves from them.

“Our family clearly does not support any statements [Garcia] “What he did regarding race or religion does not reflect who Ryan really is or how he was raised,” the family’s statement begins. “Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact.

“Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health for years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and supporting him to receive the support he needs to cope with this very tough time and look after both his immediate and long-term wellbeing.”

Garcia initially posted an apology shortly after Sulaiman banned him from the WBC and his family issued a statement. “I was trolling, I want all the killings to stop,” he wrote. “I love everyone, sorry if I offended you.”

This isn’t the first time Garcia’s social media activities have raised concerns among his family and those in the boxing world. In the months and weeks leading up to his fight with Devin Haney, Garcia frequently posted disturbing content, seemingly to throw his opponent off guard.

Instead, his loved ones began to worry about his mental health, as Garcia accused him of sexually abusing him as a child.

When Garcia and Haney finally met in the ring in Novel York in April, Garcia defeated Haney, but his celebrations were short-lived. Garcia soon tested positive for Ostarine and was banned from boxing for a year. He was also forced to forfeit his $1.1 million (£870,000) prize money, among other penalties.

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UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua ‘not worried about —-‘ as Daniel Dubois given pre-fight warning

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Anthony Joshua could have a mental advantage in his all-British world heavyweight title fight with Daniel Dubois as the former champion “doesn’t care about —- anymore”, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua will be looking to become a three-time world champion in September when he faces Dubois for the IBF title, which was recently vacated by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. The pair will clash at Wembley Stadium in September, with Dubois looking to become a world champion for the first time.

Their first interaction didn’t go well, as the fight had to be stopped when one of the interactions turned ugly and Joshua threatened to throw a chair at his opponent because he felt disrespected.

The move was completely out of character for ‘AJ’, who has always been known for keeping his frosty in press conferences and in fights before entering the ring. But Hearn believes it’s a modern look for Joshua with a modern attitude as the 34-year-old accepts the stage of his career he’s at, having achieved almost everything he wanted to.

Speaking to SportyBoom.comHearn explained: “He’s always had that edge. But I think he’s a lot less cautious now. When he won the Olympics, he went through that GB school, which can be very corporate, and that’s been amazing for the sport.”

“He was an ambassador for it, he rekindled interest and increased participation of kids at the grassroots level. But now he thinks, ‘I’ve done my job. I don’t care one bit anymore.’ Now if you give him that, he’ll want to rip your head off.”

“People say they love this modern AJ. It’s not the modern AJ in terms of his edge. He’s always been the real thing. But I think it’s the modern AJ in terms of his confidence.”

Joshua is arguably the most popular British boxer since Ricky Hatton, as evidenced by the number of stadium fights he has taken part in. But Hearn believes the incident with Dubois proves he is no longer concerned about his public image.

He continued: “Now when I see people say, ‘Come on,’ he goes back to the estate and goes to the park. In the past, he might have taken a deep breath and decided not to do it or not to be fooled, whereas now things are completely different.”

“He won’t back down. He’s not concerned with other things anymore, trying to impress other people. He’s always been true to himself and he’s always been real. I know that. He knows that.”

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