Mavens and pundits have their say forward of Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe’s strike for the WBO cruiserweight international identify at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Soil stadium on Saturday.
Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe collide in some of the largest all-British fights of the age on Saturday with lovers ready to track in to look at a bumper undercard from 6.30 pm survive Sky Sports activities or flow in an instant with NOW.
Johnny Nelson (Former WBO cruiserweight champion):
“Richard Riakporhe stops Chris Billam-Smith inside the distance. The only thing we can doubt is, can he go to the well and dig deep when there’s nothing there?
“We’ve viewable Chris Billam-Smith do it. We haven’t viewable it from Richard Riakporhe, as a result of he’s now not needed to do it, and so if he has to dig deep, that’s whilst you suppose: ‘oh my goodness.’ That’s the place you favour Chris Billam-Smith. However I feel Richard Riakporhe, now’s the while he’s were given to glow. Now’s the while [for] a career-best and a career-best will have to do the activity.”
Barry Jones (Former international champion):
“I do form Billam-Smith the favorite. Simply from enjoy, coping with the power. I feel he’s a greater fighter than he used to be, as Riakporhe is.
“However the task and the now not being afraid to be in field of a shot. He’s mindful that he has to hurry that skilled possibility. Eating out for your chin is a concern however he understands that he must be in that field to land his personal pictures. I feel he’s prepared to decide to that.
“I just think he’s a smarter fighter overall than when they first met. Riakporhe, even though I think he’s neater than he was, ultimately it will boil down to how much he can land with that right hand and that left hook, and I just feel like Billam-Smith will be able to stunt that distance and have more success.”
Jack Massey (Has boxed each):
“It’s a tough one. It’s a very tough one. I’ve sort of been flitting between the two. I’m swaying towards Riakporhe. Just a bit more power, a bit stronger and just going off Billam-Smith’s last performance [against Mateusz Masternak], that’s what I’m going off.”
Spencer Oliver (Former Eu champion):
“I think both guys have developed a lot since that first fight. They were at the beginning stages of their careers in that first fight.
“Chris Billam-Smith has had that 10-fight unbeaten run since that struggle again in 2019 and he’s confirmed he’s tricky. He is going to that park in a struggle the place it’s now not simple to show it round and he’s proven that championship subject material by means of appearing that feature as a way to flip it round. We haven’t viewable that of Richard Riakporhe but.
“Richard’s unbeaten and got himself into that mandatory position. His development’s been slightly different but what Richard’s gained from the first fight that he never had is the fact that he believes in himself. With Richard in that first fight, even though he won the fight, he never believed in himself. You could see that in his performance where he wouldn’t quite step in, was a little bit tense. He’s now at that stage where he does believe in himself.
“And that’s why I incline in opposition to Riakporhe to win this match.”
Duke McKenzie (Former three-weight international champion)
“It’s a good fight and that’s what the crowd are here to see and that’s what they’re going to see. It’s going to be explosive because they’ve already got history together.
“I’d incline in opposition to Riakporhe just because I feel he’d be the extra progressed of the 2. I don’t suppose Billam-Smith can exchange. I feel as soon as he will get clash, Billam-Smith… for me, he’s a tiny bit too flat-footed, there’s now not plethora head motion and he doesn’t depend on his boxing talent, he desires to struggle.
“If he could change his game a little bit, he’d stand a better chance of winning. Smarts win fights and I just think Riakporhe is going to be a little bit too smart for him.”
Matt Christie (Chief boxing journalist):
“This is an exceptionally difficult fight to call, much like the first time they met. Since then, both have unquestionably improved yet it is the level to which Billam-Smith has risen that makes his trajectory steeper.
“In consequence, given Billam-Smith’s admirable enjoy, each at the international degree and in 12-round championship fights, I incline in opposition to him edging out Riakporhe on issues.”
Ellie Scotney (IBF & WBO bantamweight international champion):
“When you compare the fighters who shared the ring all those years ago, when you compare their careers, the best fighter on Richard’s record is Chris by a country mile.
“You have a look at Chris, you glance who he’s boxed – Lawrence Okolie, who used to be the bogeyman of the category, nobody sought after to the touch him however he hits very juiceless. Chris has a option to at all times give you the chance to win. I feel the depth and the tenacity, he’ll fracture Richard ailing the longer stretch, so I’m backing a Billam-Smith stoppage win.
“We see the best of Chris when no one believes in him and his back is against the wall, and I think he’ll shut people up on Saturday.”
Bradley Skeete (Former British champion)
“I’m going to go with Riakporhe. It’s all set up for him; Crystal Palace, his home town, I think he’ll come through with a late stoppage.
“I love Billam-Smith a quantity, he’s a stunning champion, I want him the entire ideally suited, however I’ll proceed with Riakporhe for this one. I feel Riakporhe can be impressed by means of the house folk. Chris is at all times in Bournemouth, the backup he will get there’s fantastic, it might be the similar for Richard.”
Keep an eye on Chris Billam-Smith secure his WBO cruiserweight international identify in opposition to Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Soil, survive Sky Sports activities on Saturday June 15; Ben Whittaker and Dan Azeez constituent at the undercard. You’ll be able to additionally flow the development via NOW TV.