Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe 2 Fight Results: Billam-Smith Earns UD

Revenge is a dish best-served cold, and Chris Billam-Smith got his get back when it mattered the most.

Nearly five years ago, Richard Riakporhe handed Billam-Smith the only blemish on his professional record, a 10-round split decision defeat for a secondary title at London’s O2 Arena. But this time, in another hard-fought, foul-fueled battle, Billam-Smith claimed a unanimous decision victory to retain his WBO cruiserweight world championship before a lively crowd at Selhurst Park in the London borough of Croydon, England. The judges scored the fight 116-111, 115-112, and 115-112, all for Billam-Smith, who made his second defense of the 200-pound crown. The champion, born and raised in the United Kingdom, improved to 20-1 (13 KOs). Riakporhe, also a U.K. native, suffered the first loss of his eight-year career, falling to 17-1 (13 KOs).

The fighters began at a measured pace, looking to establish their jabs.  Riakporhe connected with the best shot of the round, a hard right hand with 1:32 left. Riakporhe found success again with the jab to start the second round. Midway through the frame, Billam-Smith began to land his jab. With just over a minute left in the round, the referee called time to admonish both fighters for roughhousing on the inside. Riakporhe backed Billam-Smith into the ropes with a jab and a left hook in round three. The referee warned Riakporhe four times in the round for multiple infractions, three for using his head, and once for hitting Billam-Smith below the belt.

Billam-Smith had a better performance in the fourth. He landed a stiff right hand on Riakporhe and followed up with a slew of shots to the body. Riakporhe, on the other hand, managed to draw blood from Billam-Smith’s nose, a product of his stiff jab. Both fighters traded hard jabs to start the sixth round. With 1:15 remaining, Billam-Smith landed a left hook to the liver that appeared to hurt Riakporhe. He continued hammering him downstairs, followed up with a hard right down the stretch, and made Riakporhe pay for his over-aggression.

The tide had officially turned. Billam-Smith ripped Riakporhe throughout the seventh round with lefts and rights to the body. A desperate Riakporhe tried to come back with right-hand bombs late in the frame, but Billam-Smith rolled away from the shots. Billam-Smith dominated the eighth round as Riakporhe got wild and took a plethora of stiff lefts and rights in return, including a hard left hook that rattled his jaw.

Riakporhe, however, was not done yet. A strong ninth round put the wind back in his sails. He bullied Billam-Smith throughout the round, beginning with a ferocious right hand that sent his man into the ropes. He followed up with a surge of rights and lefts that had Billam-Smith hanging on for dear life. Both men let it all hang in the championship rounds. With two minutes to go in round 11, Billam-Smith landed a hard right hand on Riakporhe and followed up with a flurry downstairs while both his orbital bones were swelling.

After countless warnings throughout the fight, Riakporhe was finally docked a point for excessive use of his head in the 12th round, as Billam-Smith turned away visibly in pain. The final round was primarily uneventful as both fighters were inebriated, having spent most of the final three minutes wrestling, twisting, and turning one another with little action.

Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O’Hara is an award-winning sportswriter based in Denver, Colorado. The 30-year-old has been recognized by the Boxing Writers Association of America three times for his accomplishments, with a best finish of 2nd at the 2022 awards ceremony.

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