Chris Billam-Smith pulled off one other home upset in Selhurst Park right now by avenging his lone profession loss to Richard Riakporhe.
Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KO) entered the ring on the heels of 5 consecutive knockouts, however did not ever get out of first gear in an unpleasant, clinch-heavy affair. Billam-Smith (20-1, 13 KO) constantly outworked Riakporhe, shrugged off his vaunted proper hand, and simply appeared just like the busier and more practical fighter at any time when they’d attempt to swat one another within the clinch.
Each males have been warned greater than as soon as for roughhousing inside, however it was Riakporhe who lastly pushed the ref over the sting and misplaced some extent within the twelfth for extreme use of his head.
That didn’t wind up making a distinction, as one choose had it 116-111 for Billam-Smith and the opposite two had it 115-112. Unhealthy Left Hook had it 118-109, although the slop admittedly made it tough for me to focus.
Billam-Smith positively appeared sharper than in opposition to Mateusz Masternak final trip, sufficient in order that I wouldn’t be against seeing him attempt to unify in opposition to Gilberto Ramirez, Noel Mikaelian, or Jai Opetaia. With the rating settled in opposition to Riakporhe, there’s not a lot left for him on the European scene and this combat happy his WBO necessary obligation.
Whittaker fails to impress in co-feature
Tokyo silver medalist Ben Whittaker made his second consecutive journey to the judges after a one-sided however underwhelming combat with fellow unbeaten Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka.
It was, for probably the most half, precisely what it seemed to be on paper. Whittaker (8-0, 5 KO) was too quick, too cellular, and too sharp for the plodding Arenyeka (12-1, 10 KO). Regardless of his dominance, although, he did little to endear himself to these not already in his nook. It’s clear at this level that Whittaker doesn’t have high-level energy and Arenyeka was simply harmful sufficient to maintain Whittaker from actually extreme showboating, that means viewers have been left with high-volume however tension-free motion.
Essentially the most entertaining second got here after the seventh spherical, when Whittaker cheekily tried to escort Arenyeka to his nook and ate a headbutt for it. Arenyeka went on to crack Whittaker with an elbow later that spherical and lose some extent for it.
Whittaker did handle to harm Arenyeka with a mixture within the remaining seconds, however it wasn’t sufficient to salvage issues, although he did get the comfort prize of 100-89, 99-90, 99-90 scorecards.
Massey outlasts Chamberlain to win European title
Quick discover wasn’t sufficient to cease Jack Massey from claiming the European cruiserweight title with a hard-fought win over Isaac Chamberlain.
Massey (22-2, 12 KO), who stepped up a month in the past when Michal Cieslak suffered an damage, jumped to an early lead with crisp motion and punching. Chamberlain (16-3, 8 KO) managed to land his share of strong pictures, particularly to the physique, however constantly discovered himself a step behind.
That physique work appeared to repay because the combat moved into the second half, as Chamberlain placed on a robust effort within the seventh earlier than practically stopping Massey with a large barrage late within the eighth. Regardless of seemingly being out of steam, although, Massey re-established his technical superiority as Chamberlain did not capitalize. Each males have been pressured to intestine their methods by way of the ultimate rounds, with Massey finally rising victorious with a pair of 115-113 playing cards and a 116-112.
That is far and away one of the best win of Massey’s profession and at the very least considerably exonerates Joseph Parker for failing to overwhelm him once they met at heavyweight final yr. As for Chamberlain, he could also be regretting not defending his British title in opposition to Cheavon Clarke.
Extra outcomes
- Dan Azeez D-8 Hrvoje Sep (76-76)
- Francesca Hennessy PTS-8 Dorota Norek (77-75)
