Who won Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II?
Chris Billam-Smith beat Richard Riakporhe by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, at Selhurst Park, London.
The scorecards were announced as 116-111, 115-112, 115-112 in favor of winner Chris Billam-Smith.
The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Cruiserweight division, which meant the weight limit was 200 pounds (14.3 stone or 90.7 kg).
This contest was for the WBO cruiserweight championship of the world.
Also on the undercard Isaac Chamberlain was defeated by Jack Massey for the CBC Commonwealth Cruiserweight championship, Dan Azeez beat Hrvoje Sep, Ben Whittaker defeated Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka, and Francesca Hennessy was victorious over Dorota Norek.
Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II stats
Back in June 2024, Chris Billam-Smith stepped into the ring with a record of 19 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, 13 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Richard Riakporhe made his way to the ring with an unblemished record of 17 wins and 0 draws, with 13 of those by knockout.
The stats suggested Riakporhe had a slight advantage in power over Billam Smith, with a 76% knockout percentage compared to Billam Smith's 68%.
Chris Billam-Smith was the same age as Richard Riakporhe, at 34 years old.
Riakporhe had a height advantage of 2 inches over Billam Smith. That also extended to a 2-inch reach advantage.
Both Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe fought out of an orthodox stance.
Billam Smith was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 3 more fights, and made his debut in 2017, 1 year and 1 month later than Riakporhe, whose first professional fight was in 2016. He had fought 63 more professional rounds, totaling 152 compared to Riakporhe's 89.
Richard Riakporhe was ranked number 1 by the WBO in the 200lb division.
Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II form
Billam Smith had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 of them, going the distance twice.
In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Mateusz Masternak on December 10, 2023, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their WBO World Cruiserweight championship fight at Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
Prior to that, he had defeated Lawrence Okolie on May 27, 2023, by majority decision in their WBO World Cruiserweight championship fight at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth.
Going into that contest, he had beaten Armend Xhoxhaj on December 17, 2022, by technical knockout in the 5th round at Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth.
Before that, he had won against Isaac Chamberlain on July 30, 2022, by unanimous decision in their CBC Commonwealth Cruiserweight championship fight at Bournemouth International Centre, Dorset.
He had beaten Tommy McCarthy on April 16, 2022, by knockout in the 8th round at Manchester Arena, Manchester.
Richard Riakporhe had stopped all of his last 5 opponents.
In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had defeated Dylan Bregeon on November 18, 2023, by technical knockout in the 2nd round at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
Prior to that, he had defeated Krzysztof Glowacki on January 21, 2023, by technical knockout in the 4th round at Manchester Arena, Manchester.
Going into that contest, he had won against Fabio Turchi on June 11, 2022, by technical knockout in the 2nd round at Wembley Arena, London.
Before that, he had defeated Deion Jumah on March 26, 2022, by knockout in the 8th round at Wembley Arena, London.
He had beaten Olanrewaju Durodola on November 20, 2021, by technical knockout in the 5th round at Wembley Arena, London.
Activity check
In terms of activity leading into the fight, Chris Billam-Smith had been fighting more than Richard Riakporhe.
Going into this contest, Chris Billam-Smith had last fought 6 months and 5 days ago, while Richard Riakporhe's last outing had been 6 months and 28 days ago.
Billam Smith's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 1 month and 30 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 5 months and 7 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 45 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 9 rounds on average.
Riakporhe's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 6 months and 26 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 6 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 21 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 4.2 rounds on average.
What time did Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II start?
The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 10:00 PM BST at Selhurst Park, London, United Kingdom, which was 5:00 PM EST or 2:00 PM PST on the West Coast of America.
Who broadcast Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II?
The Peacock show began at 1:30 PM EST / 10:30 AM PST. The Sky Sports Action broadcast of the card started at 6:00 PM (BST).
What were the odds on Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe II?
Chris Billam-Smith was a 2/1 (+200) underdog going into the contest, while Richard Riakporhe made his way into the ring at 2/5 (-250) with oddsmakers.
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