UK Boxing
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2 – Huge Fight Preview and Predictions
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaCrystal 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
Paris Fury opens up after husband Tyson admitted they haven’t spoken for three months
Published
3 hours agoon
December 21, 2024Tyson Fury’s wife Paris admitted it was “very arduous” not to talk to her husband as he prepared to fight Oleksandr Usyk.
The Gypsy king unexpectedly stated that he had cut himself off from his wife and their family for three months, such is his determination to take revenge on Usyk in their rematch.
The 36-year-old boxer took drastic steps to mentally prepare for his second fight with the Ukrainian after losing to Usyk in May following a split decision.
Usyk became Riyad’s first undisputed four-division heavyweight champion in the sport, and the two fighters will face each other again on Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia.
Paris Fury confirmed her husband’s claims that they did not speak for three months after flying to the Middle East.
I’m talking to IFL TV boxingshe said, “Yes, it’s true. I think after the last fight, everything that had happened before personally in our lives, and then Tyson obviously came to an end, last time, I just think he decided it on his own and I had to support him in that.
“He didn’t want to be involved in his family life, so he cut himself off from us for the last few months, he put himself in a solemn, solemn condition and he seems very, very determined.
“So if this happened, then God willing, tomorrow night everything will come out and everything will be good and worthwhile.”
While Fury undergoes demanding training to be in top shape and take revenge for his defeat earlier this year, his wife Paris has spoken about the difficulties of keeping the house in order on her own.
They have seven children together, three daughters and four sons, all named Prince.
But Paris emotionally shared the negative consequences of being kept away from her husband.
“It was very arduous, I can’t lie,” she admitted. “I supported him in this decision, but sitting and not talking to my husband for a long time wasn’t the greatest thing.
“Yesterday was the first time I saw him, we still hadn’t spoken, I was literally 10 feet away from him and we barely made eye contact. But I see and think it paid off.
“I haven’t seen him like that since the rematch with Deontay Wilder, that was the last time I saw Tyson in that mood, so I can’t tell you too much because we haven’t talked for weeks, weeks, weeks.”
UK Boxing
Tyson Fury is disappointing his fans with his decision to fight Oleksandr Usyk
Published
7 hours agoon
December 21, 2024Tyson Fury has once again disappointed British boxing fans. And not by failing to bring the heavyweight belts back to the UK.
Fighting in Saudi Arabia means fans no longer have “I was there” moments.
Only 2,500 Britons made up the 20,000 people packed into the Kingdom Arena for the first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, and not many more will show up for the rematch.
It shows that Saudi Arabia should not be the recent home of boxing.
British fans have proven they will travel. More than 30,000 viewers followed Ricky Hatton to Las Vegas when he bravely lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2007.
Recently, 8,000 home fans flocked to Madison Square Garden for Anthony Joshua’s match against Andy Ruiz Jr.
Both were great “I was there” moments.
However, Usyk vs Fury 2 will be another disappointment, even though the fight has all the hallmarks of a classic.
Fury has earned enough to support his family for a lifetime – now it’s time to give his devoted followers the chance to see him in person.
In September at Wembley, Daniel Dubois defended his IBF world title against Joshua in front of over 98,000 spectators.
Fury could break that record if he fought the right challenger here. Perhaps he’ll save it for when he finally faces Joshua. We just have to pray that it’s not too delayed for their careers.
The cheerful Flintoff family
They say it’s who you know, not what you know, that gets you to the top.
Rocky Flintoff, 16, will have to prove that theory wrong after his dad, Freddie Flintoff, called him up for the England Lions squad, which embarks on a tour of Australia in January.
During the winter family fun, all eyes will be on the school graduate.
UK Boxing
Tyson Fury ‘feels sorry’ for Oleksandr Usyk as Briton vows to bring his rival back to the division
Published
15 hours agoon
December 20, 2024Tyson Fury has rejected the idea that defeating Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch would be his crowning achievement in boxing, even though he is scheduled to face a man who ended his undefeated streak in May and is now considered the top heavyweight of his era.
Usyk, 37, holds undisputed titles in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, boasting an impeccable professional record and numerous major amateur accolades. But the 36-year-old Fury says his most monumental moment was his victory over Wladimir Klitschko when he was a significant underdog.
Alternatively, given the circumstances, his two triumphs over feared hitter Deontay Wilder after throwing 10 stone, battling addiction and overcoming a doping ban could be included in the honor. Fury, however, believes that beating Usyk this weekend won’t be the highlight of his 36-fight career because it wouldn’t be a surprise – at least not to him.
“I’m expected to do it,” he said. “When I beat Klitschko, they expected me to wipe the floor with him. Beating this guy after losing by one point in my last fight by split decision wouldn’t be like, “Oh my God, huge upset.” “
This is certainly up for debate. When they step into the ring again tonight at the Kingdom Arena, which has become the epicenter of boxing’s biggest events, Usyk is the favorite. Fury maintains their last fight was a close draw.
One of the judges scored the fight 114-113 in Fury’s favor, while the other two sided with Usyk, scoring 114-113 and 115-112. However, as the second half of the fight progressed, it seemed clear that the Ukrainian had taken the lead, especially after he forced a countout in the ninth round and almost ended the fight.
“I ended up stronger than him in round 12,” Fury said. “Believe it or not, he was carried back to the locker room. He was blown to pieces. “I have a photo on my phone, three days later I had no mark on me.
“Three days later he was massacred, his jaw was broken, his eye socket was damaged and so on. And I’m not even in the best shape, not even a little bit.
“Honestly, I feel sorry for the boy. They talk about trilogies, but… [the beating I’m going to put on him] he plans to return to cruiserweight on Saturday night.
– I’m sure of it. But then again, money speaks all languages, right? This involves a lot of money, so maybe he’ll want to hide even better.
There is ongoing debate as to whether a trilogy fight is contractually obligated. Ultimately, the decision rests with Saudi boxing broker Turki Alalshikh, who controls the most critical aspect of boxing – the purse strings.
Daniel Dubois has expressed interest in fighting the winner and Anthony Joshua has his sights set on fighting Fury. We may see a third clash between these two in the Middle East in the coming months.
Fury’s assurance that it won’t overshadow Klitschko is persuasive, but there is a sense that this fight could be the defining moment of his career. He may not secure the undisputed crown that Usyk won in May as the IBF is now in the hands of others.
The WBA, WBO and WBC belts may be held by Dubois, but they pale in comparison to glamor boxing’s No. 1 title. Fury has been training in Malta for the past three months in preparation for tonight’s fight.
Despite his Santa-like beard, with only a lick of white hair dye left to complete, he left the Christmas shopping to his wife Paris, who will be at ringside tonight after missing their May date due to a miscarriage.
Instead of wondering what presents would be under the tree this Christmas, Fury focused on conquering the heavyweight division.
If he can do this, it will be his greatest night, whether he admits it or not.
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