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Richard Riakporhe maintains the belief that Chris Billam-Smith’s health is getting worse ahead of the world title rematch

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RICHARD RIAKPORHE still believes Chris Billam-Smith’s condition is showing signs of deterioration ahead of the second leg on Saturday evening (June 15).

The two Britons meet at Selhurst Park – the home of Crystal Palace Football Club – and Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title is at stake. Five years ago, it was Riakporhe who got the nod in a 10-round non-title fight, beating Billam-Smith by split decision.

However, twelve-round fights are a different beast, and the fighter himself is a completely different proposition than in 2019. Since then, Billam-Smith (19-1 (13 KO)) has won 10 of 10, including that monumental victory over Lawrence Okolie to capture the WBO title 13 months ago.

Billam-Smith’s fighting style may start with poise and composure, but it usually doesn’t take long for the 33-year-old to engage in a fight full of will, determination and stamina. When these unteachable traits led him to cross the line, he had to absorb the firepower coming from the opposite direction to win. Some people believe that the amount he took is to his detriment and there are many indications that he may be in the red. Something Saturday night’s title contender agrees with.

Riakporhe believes that the champion could have had better days. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

Speaking at today’s final press conference, Riakporhe, 17-0 (13 KO), said: “Honestly, I’ve never really watched Chris. I went to his fights, but I watched them more as a boxing fan. Sometimes I will also come and see comments about his performance. To put it mildly, it’s not the best, many people have mentioned it getting worse.

“Then I thought, let me see what this deterioration is all about. When I watch fights based on technical analysis, I see many gaps. This is normal wear and tear. When you take too many photos and have a chin like CBS, it’s a science, you can’t avoid it – you can’t stay in great shape forever.

Billam-Smith rejected the very idea that his condition was getting worse.

“My response to the deterioration is that he’s just counting on it and that’s what he’s hoping for. There is no relegation and you will see it on Saturday night,” he replied.

While The Gentleman’s demise is not a proven fact, one thing that cannot be denied is the difference in experience between the two. The champion is defending his world title for a second time and has headlined both his stadium appearances – last year at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium – and indoor events in his hometown.

The champion put on his shoes and put them on, but denies any claims that he is in a state of decline. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

Billam-Smith is aware of this and spoke about it when questioned by host Andy Scott.

“All my experience fighting for the world championship… the camps, playing the substantial shows, headlining all these shows, [I’ll] employ this experience, come in and perform. That experience is the most crucial thing before going to that stadium scrimmage, where luckily I was headlining the home shows and I had this great opportunity, which was a great experience during that stadium scrimmage.

On Saturday evening, the favorite of the hosts will be Riakporhe from south London, who will provide the lion’s share of fans at the stadium of the football club he supports – Crystal Palace. It’s a completely novel experience, but he loves it.

“I’m very excited,” he said.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I’m just hungry. I’m ready to challenge and win this title and fight for more titles.”

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The Trinidad vs. Sosa fight will take place on October 26 at the top of Hollywood Fight Nights

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Trinidad vs Sosa Oct 26

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions presents the next exclusive Hollywood Fight Nights event, which will take place on Friday, October 26 at the famed Commerce Casino Events Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live worldwide on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital combat sports subscription service .

The main characters of the Hollywood Fight Nights gala, which will take place on October 26, will be undefeated Omar Trinidad (16-0-1, 12 KO) from Boyle Heights, California, who is in the world ranking (13th place IBF, 15th WBC) and undefeated Omar Trinidad (16-0-1, 12 KO) of Boyle Heights, California, who defends his WBC Continental Title America Featherweight Title for the second time against IBF world No. 4 Hector “La Maquinita” Sosa (17-2, 9 KO ) from Buenos Aires, Argentina in ten scheduled rounds. Trinidad vs. Sosa is presented in association with Sampson Boxing.

Hollywood Fight Nights advance tickets for $200, $150, $100 and $80 are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.360Promotions.us. Commerce Casino, “the world’s largest card room and home of the LA Poker Classic,” is located at 6131 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040. More information and directions can be found on their website.

“Omar Trinidad proves in every fight that he is one of the top featherweights in boxing, and his willingness to take on the toughest fighters in the division and his aggressive, action-packed style have made him one of the most popular fighters in California.” said Tom Loeffler. “Hector Sosa is a very solid, highly rated, world-class fighter with an impressive winning streak and represents Omar’s toughest opponent to date.”

Omar Trinidad started his 2024 campaign on January 27 with an eighth-round knockout of rival Jose Perez. Then, on July 26, he caused a sensational stoppage of Wiktor Sławiński in the tenth round. Both fights resulted in two game-changing knockdowns of his opponents and were fought in front of a sold-out crowd at the Commerce Casino filled with a legion of Trinidadian supporters.

Hector Sosa, currently riding a three-fight winning streak, returns to action following a 12-round unanimous decision over hometown challenger Keenan Carbajal on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2023, Sosa scored back-to-back wins over James Dickens (KO-10) in Dubai on July 22 and an impressive 10-round decision over undefeated challenger Laureano Sciuto on March 21 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Mylik Birdsong, boxer from Los Angeles, shot dead at the age of 31

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by Francisco Salazar |

Mylik Birdsong, a welterweight prospect who recently won a regional title, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Birdsong (15-1-1, 10 knockouts), a Los Angeles resident, was 31 years senior. On October 26 at the Commerce Casino in nearby Commerce, he was scheduled to fight Gor Yeritsyan in a fascinating clash of once-defeated welterweights. The fight was scheduled to be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass.

Tom Loeffler, head of 360 Boxing Promotions and promoter of the October 26 card, was overcome with sadness upon learning of Birdsong’s death.

“We were thrilled to announce the return of Gor Yeritsyan during our October 26 show at Commerce Casino,” Loeffler told The Ring overdue Sunday evening. “He was supposed to take part in a great duel with Mylik Birdsong. Unfortunately, we have just received the tragic news that Mylik has died. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We will definitely honor Mylik with an (honorary) 10 at our exhibition.”

According to the Los Angeles Police Department in a statement to KTLA5, the shooting occurred around 4:50 p.m. near the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Birdsong was standing next to his car talking to his girlfriend, who was sitting inside, when a gloomy SUV drove up and opened fire on him. Birdsong was hit and ran toward the driveway of the house, where he was hit again by gunfire from two men chasing him.

Birdsong, who was hit a total of seven times in the torso. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation, including determining the motive, is ongoing.

Birdsong last fought on March 23 at Saint John Bosco High School in nearby Bellflower, defeating Jerry Bradford by unanimous decision. With the victory, Bradford won the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) International welterweight title.

In his previous fight on November 11, Birdsong was knocked out by Jose Vargas Quintana in a clash of undefeated prospects.

Follow @FSalazarBoxing

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Tyson Fury: “I have to knock out Usyk”

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Author: Sean Crose

“I didn’t think he beat me last time,” Tyson Fury said recently “and I sure as hell won’t let him beat me this time.” For those who don’t know, Fury lost his war against Oleksandr Usyk last May on cards in Saudi Arabia. He doesn’t want everything to be the same when the two men meet again in December in Saudi Arabia. “I have to knock out Usyk and I will train to knock him out well… and that is what I will do.”

Fury, who is celebrated for his outspoken and boisterous behavior, stressed that he would actually starch Usyk from afar. “This time I’m going to knock it out ct,” he said. “Believe it first. See it in your mind first and do it there. I can’t take anything away from ugly Usyk. I can’t say I didn’t prepare and train. I did what I had to do. He made a decision over me and we have to take it back.

Reflecting on the defeat to the immensely talented Usyk, Fury argued that it wasn’t entirely bad: “It makes sense to have a rematch and get the win back. I had already reached the point where I actually cared. This decision was probably made to wake me up and give me back that type of aggression where I feel like punching someone.

Fury has been known to go from acting enthusiastic to disinterested after doffing his symbolic hat… and he never lets it show if he engages in mind games or simply changes his mind frequently. However, at the moment he seems determined to avenge his defeat to Usyk – the first and only loss Fury has suffered in a 36-fight career.

“I have someone who can get the better of me,” he said, “who broke me, took my virginity, and stole it back where he lives.” And now the man wants to return the favor to Usyk. “That’s what I’m concerned about,” Fury said. “I don’t care about Anthony Joshua and what he does. I have a man who has me by the balls, let’s just say for now.

Without a doubt, Usyk-Fury 2 is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, if not the most anticipated fight, at least in part because it’s strenuous to predict a winner in advance – the first fight was so close.

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