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UK Boxing

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

Published

7 months ago

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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

Jake Paul’s body language speaks volumes when he comes face to face with Conor McGregor

Published

13 hours ago

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January 20, 2025

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Jake Paul seemed noticeably disinterested as he and his older brother Logan were on the same bus as their fierce rival, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor.

The three were connected on Monday before Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington. The 78-year-old is scheduled to be sworn in today as the 47th president of the United States, eight years after he first took the oath of office.

Due to the presence of many stars at this historic event, emotions are still growing. However, fans were stunned when McGregor was seen posing next to the Paul brothers and riding in the same vehicle. Both Jake and his older brother Logan were accompanied to the ceremony by their mother, Pam Stepnick.

In a post sent to X – formerly known as Twitter – ‘The Problem Child’ shocked the combat sports community after posting a photo of the Irishman sitting behind him and his brother. Jake captioned the photo: “Inauguration going great.” One user responded to the snapshot: “I never thought I’d see a photo like this, with all the beef over the years,” while another wrote: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”

Despite the ongoing feud between brothers Paul and McGregor, it seems like “The Problem Child” wasn’t too concerned about being in the same distance as the UFC legend.

The photo surfaced shortly after Jake decided to take a swipe at McGregor online and posted: “Now it all makes sense why Conor Mcgregor and his management team were desperately trying to get MVP to negotiate a fight between us. As we’ve told them privately and now I’m saying it publicly… the only way we’re willing to compare me to Conor in a professional boxing/MMA fight is if Dana White/UFC are directly at the table or make it clear that everything ok with the discussions. Conor needs Logan if he wants.

Despite Paul’s choice of words, it seems the Irishman is more focused on his older brother Logan. Last month, it was reported that McGregor was negotiating to fight Paul’s older sibling. On the way to I have made preliminary arrangements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul at a boxing event in India. I have agreed, and then I will try to return to the octagon.”

Even though “The Maverick” recently joined WWE, the tempting offer of going toe-to-toe with McGregor might just lure him back to the boxing ring. The 29-year-old directly approached Ari Emanuel, the head of Endeavor, owner of the UFC and WWE, for a chance to face “The Notorious”. In a video uploaded to YouTube, “The Maverick” and Emanuel can be seen warmly hugging and shaking hands before saying, “Ari, I need one favor from you,” to which the Endeavor boss replied, “Yes.” Paul made the following request: “I want you to give me the green featherlight to fight Conor.” There was a shared laugh and they both said “seriously.”

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UK Boxing

“Anthony Joshua is finished and I would love to withdraw him,” says his rival

Published

17 hours ago

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January 20, 2025

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Whyte wants to run it back with Joshua Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

UK Boxing

Anthony Taylor collapsed minutes after Darren Till KO and viewers were left terrified

Published

2 days ago

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January 19, 2025

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There were disturbing scenes during the last Misfits Boxing gala in Manchester on Saturday evening when Anthony Taylor collapsed after being stopped by fellow MMA fighter Darren Till.

The American took up the fight shortly after Tommy Fury withdrew, but he was no match for Till, who dominated from the very beginning.

In his first boxing fight, the Liverpudlian looked outstanding from the bell, displaying impressive hand speed and having no trouble countering Taylor’s aggressive approach.

Threatening to KO from the start, Till secured a stoppage in the sixth round.

But what happened next shocked those who watched the event. Taylor, who entered the fight with a 7-4 boxing record, broke down in post-fight interviews. He was later taken away from the Co-Op Arena in a wheelchair.

Many assumed that Taylor was then taken to the hospital for tests. However, according to Ariel Helwani, after being given oxygen and found to be stable, he was allowed to return to his accommodation.

Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor later confirmed that Taylor had regained consciousness. He also said Taylor did not need a hospital visit because he was “conscious and well” when he entered the locker room.

He later posted a video on social media in which he spoke clearly and promised to bounce back from the shocking defeat. “It’s OK, I took the L (loss) like a motherfucker,” he said.

“I’ll be back. I’m fine. Thank you all for your love and support, thank you to everyone who makes fun of me too. I don’t give a damn. I deserve it. But at the end of the day, I’ll fucking come back.”

“Pretty Boy,” who has a professional MMA record of 7-5 but has not fought since August 2019, also took aim at Fury. WX wrote, “Now we know why Tommy Fury backed out,” along with two laughing emojis.

The Misfits Boxing 20 main event was only organized after the Manchester fighter withdrew. The younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson stated that he was not content with Till’s claim that he would resort to “MMA tactics” if he lost the fight.

Do later denied that he wasn’t stern when giving the warning, saying it was simply a marketing tactic. It wasn’t until December 29 that it was confirmed that Taylor had stepped in as a replacement.

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