Chris Billam-Smith (proper) lands on Richard Riakpohre en path to his unanimous resolution win of their June 15 rematch in London. Picture credit score: Lawrence Lustig, BOXXER
5 years later, Chris Billam-Smith lastly derailed the ‘Midnight Prepare.’
The win was proper on time for the defending WBO cruiserweight titlist, who soundly outpointed countryman Richard Riakporhe over twelve rounds. Scores had been 116-111, 115-112 and 115-112 for Billam-Smith of their Sky Sports activities/Peacock+ essential occasion Saturday at Selhurst Park in London.
Billam-Smith defended his title for the second time and avenged his lone profession defeat within the course of. Riakporhe received a break up resolution of their July 2019 battle of unbeaten prospects at The O2 in London.
Riakporhe was as soon as once more afforded hometown benefit, this time in his first profession title battle. The Ring’s No. 5-rated cruiserweight received the battle of the jabs within the opening spherical. The primary-time title challenger landed his with goal, in addition to proper arms each upstairs and to the physique. Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith, No. 1 at 200, was extra energetic on his ft however much less efficient in his punch output as he struggled to neutralize his rival’s finest weapon.
Billam-Smith and Riakporhe each landed singular proper arms throughout a short alternate in spherical two. Motion was much less fluid than within the regular opening spherical. Riakporhe pushed ahead however usually solely threw one punch at a time. Billam-Smith was unable to capitalize, as the 2 continuously clinched in what grew to become a repeat of the early levels of their first assembly.
Referee Steve Grey continued to work tougher than desired in spherical three. The pair of British cruiserweights struggled to supply a sustained offensive assault.
Blood started to circulation from the nostril of Billam-Smith within the fourth, the by-product of Riakporhe’s persistent jab. Riakporhe stabbed to the physique as nicely however discovered larger success upstairs later within the spherical. An overhand proper drove Billam Smith into the ropes. One other landed later within the body, earlier than the 2 engaged in one other clinch. Billam-Smith break up the guard with a proper uppercut within the closing seconds.
A left hand by Billam-Smith discovered its option to Riakporhe’s chin late in spherical 5. He then slickly dodged a response from Riakporhe and linked with a proper hand. Billam-Smith’s momentum was briefly stalled when he was warned for hitting on the break contained in the closing moments of the body. The defending titlist closed the sixth with proper arms throughout separate exchanges.
Motion picked up because the battle entered the second half. Riakporhe landed a proper hand simply previous the opening minute of spherical seven. Billam-Smith linked with a mix to the physique. Time was known as to reinsert Riakporhe’s mouthpiece. Billam-Smith took the lead as soon as the bout resumed and closed sturdy. It was the polar reverse of the primary battle, when he was rocked and suffered a knockdown. The sequence was the distinction on the scorecards which produced his lone profession defeat.
Concern was expressed by Riakporhe’s nook, who felt their cost was failing to grab the second in his first title bid. The lecture didn’t full resonate as Billam-Smith was in management all through the eighth. Riakporhe was capable of decide to multiple punch at a time. Billam-Smith landed a left hook to the physique, then later slipped a looping proper and went on the assault. A left hook by Billam-Smith landed, as did a proper hand round Riakpohre’s guard.
Riakporhe was warned for a low blow early within the ninth, simply as Billam-Smith misplaced his gum defend courtesy of an overhand proper. A extra disciplined strategy by Riakporhe resulted in a momentum-shifting proper hand later within the spherical. Billam-Smith was backed right into a nook however clinched his method out of hassle. Riakporhe linked with a left hook within the ultimate minute of what was by far his finest spherical to that time.
Each fighters had been instructed to maintain it clear halfway by means of spherical ten. It didn’t stop Riakporhe from initiating the motion on either side of that break as he continued his late surge. Billam-Smith’s mouth was agape as he returned to his jab. Riakporhe simply missed with a proper hand however was warned for following by means of together with his head.
Billam-Smith regained management one minute into the eleventh spherical. A proper hand landed for the titleholder, who tightened up his protection. Riakporhe was issued a ultimate warning for main together with his head. Billam-Smith jabbed his method inside after which stepped again to keep away from a proper hand. A standard one-two and left hook landed for Billam-Smith.
The apparent was spoken out loud however wanted to be stated previous to the ultimate spherical. Riakporhe and his crew had been nicely conscious {that a} knockout was wanted to win. That second wouldn’t come, though Riakporhe let his arms go at first of the twelfth. Billam-Smith was ready for the push and picked off many of the punches.
A ultimate headbutt by Riakporhe was sufficient for the referee, who known as time and deducted some extent. It mattered little because the far was too far out of attain by that time. Neither boxer landed something consequential down the stretch.
Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 knockouts) prolonged his win streak to eleven in a row since his defeat to Riapkporhe (17-1, 13 KOs). He received the WBO cruiserweight title in a twelve-round resolution over then-unbeaten Lawrence Okolie final Could in his Bournemouth hometown.
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