Boxxer will take the WBO World Cruiserweight title to Selhurst Park as Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe headlines the first UK stadium fight of 2024. Billam-Smith will defend his WBO title for the second time since capturing the belt from Lawrence Okolie.
Boxxer are hosting a second great British fight night, hopefully following on from the success of Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke. The stakes are higher for this one with a World title up for grabs, and potentially a better atmosphere with Selhurst Park capable of holding more than 20,000 people.
Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe
Champion Chris Billam-Smith (19-1) will headline his second stadium fight as he defends his crown against Richard Riakporhe (17-0). The bout will be a rematch between the pair. Richard Riakporhe won their previous encounter in 2019 via Split Decision, knocking down Billam-Smith and capturing the WBA Inter-Continental title.
Since 2019, Billam-Smith’s career has been the one in ascendancy. The Gentleman has been the more active fighter picking up 9 victories compared to Riakporhe’s 7. Billam-Smith has been placed front and centre by Boxxer as a main eventer, whereas Riakporhe has fought on the undercard for his last two bouts.
But The Midnight Train has knocked out his last 5 opponents and looked comfortable against everyone except Jack Massey, and Riakporhe was still able to beat him. Meanwhile Billam-Smith had a tough victory over Lawrence Okolie, even if the scorecards were wayward, followed by another hard victory over Mateusz Masternak, where he was hurt several times.
It has the makings of a great all-British clash.
📅Date📅
The show is being held on Saturday 15th June 2024.
⏰Start Time⏰
Main card begins from 6:00 p.m. Main event from 9:30 p.m onwards UK time.
🏟️Venue🏟️
The card will be held at Crystal Palace Football Club’s stadium. Selhurst Park is located in London, England.
📺TV Channel📺
In the UK, the card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
In the US, the card will be broadcast live on Peacock.
🥊Undercard🥊
Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe
(Billam-Smith) WBO World Cruiserweight title
Isaac Chamberlain vs Jack Massey
(Vacant) EBU European Cruiserweight title
(Chamberlain) Commonwealth Cruiserweight title
Ben Whittaker vs Ezra Arenyeka
(Vacant) WBA Gold Light Heavyweight title
Dan Azeez vs Hrvoje Sep
Francesca Hennessy vs Dorota Norek
Further names will be added once announced.
❌Cancellations❌
Michal Cieslak vs Isaac Chamberlain
(Cieslak) EBU European Cruiserweight title
Cieslak withdrew from the contest with injury and vacated his title.
View Boxxer’s press release for the event here
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