A previously agreed-to cruiserweight title fight rematch can now avoid a purse bid hearing.

The Ring has confirmed that all terms were satisfied with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) for the ordered Chris Billam-Smith-Richard Riakporhe mandatory title fight. The familiar rivals remain on course to meet again later this spring at a location to be determined in either London or Bournemouth, England.

Two football stadiums remain the leading candidates to land the clash: Selhurst Park, home to the Crystal Palace Football Club in Croydon, London; and Vitality Stadium, home to AFC Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 knockouts), The Ring’s No.3 cruiserweight, hails from Bournemouth, where he has appeared for his last four contests. Riakporhe is from Walworth, a southeastern London district less than ten miles from Selhurst Park.

The order from the WBO was surprising, given the circumstances. BOXXER—who promotes both boxers—previously confirmed that terms were previously reached for the anticipated rematch.

The bout will serve as the opportunity for Billam-Smith to avenge his lone career defeat. Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs), No. 6 at 200, won via split decision in July 2019 at London’s The O2.

Billam-Smith has won ten in a row since that night. The 33-year-old defeated then-unbeaten WBO cruiserweight titlist Lawrence Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs; No. 5 at 200) last May 27 at Vitality Stadium. Billam-Smith scored three knockdowns en route to claiming his first major pro title.

One successful defense has followed, once again in his hometown. Billam-Smith overcame a rough start to earn an eighth-round stoppage of Poland’s Mateusz Masternak last December 10 at Bournemouth International Center. The Shane McGuigan-trained Billam-Smith trailed on two of three scorecards before he rallied and forced Masternak to quit due to a rib injury at the start of the eighth round.

Riakporhe was initially poised for an equally notable 2023 campaign, only for his career to land in a holding pattern.

The 34-year-old Londoner earned a fourth-round knockout of former WBO titlist Krzysztof Glowacki last January 21 in Manchester. It was later learned that Glowacki tested positive for a banned substance, for which he was dealt a four-year ban.

A path was created for Riakporhe to challenge for his first major title. It was to come versus The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs), who held the IBF belt. Their IBF-ordered championship was scheduled for a purse bid hearing when the two sides failed to reach terms. Riakporhe’s team to pull their charge from the process on the morning of the session.

Just one fight has since followed, a second-round knockout of Dylan Bregeon last November 18 in Wolverhampton.

Riakporhe will now enter his first career title fight and armed with the opportunity to once again best his countryman.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for The Ring and vice president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JakeNDaBox

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