No power swing for Richard Riakporhe as world title dreams crumble at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

At the end of the seventh round of the main event at Selhurst Park on Saturday night, the song that pumped across the sound system was Snap’s The Power. It felt apt.

Richard Riakporhe’s knockout prowess has taken the Walworth fighter so far in the cruiserweight division – to the cusp of a world title.

But when he needed that power to help turn the tide in his favour against WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in SE25 at the weekend, it did not prove to be enough.

Riakporhe (17-1, 13KOs) did land his destructive right hand on a number of occasions but his opponent’s durability ensured he absorbed the punishment and usually came back with an instant response.

The South Londoner, 34, lose a close but unanimous decision as Billam-Smith gained revenge for a split-decision points loss when the pair first met in July 2019.

The fight was bruising and scrappy with Riakporhe warned numerous times by referee Steve Gray before he was deducted a point in the 12th round for illegal use of his head.

The punishment did not prove to be decisive with Billam-Smith winning by scores of 115-112 (twice) and 116-112.

Riakporhe wobbled Billam-Smith a couple of times in the 10th but the Bournemouth man used his experience to tie up the challenger.

The victor was the more marked up by the finish, his right eye showing bruising as well as a small nick below the eyebrow.

Billam-Smith (20-1, 13KOs) said: “I was calm, reactive and ready. Richard is a phenomenal fighter and can punch – so you don’t want to be having Terminator-style fights with someone like that.

“I want to thank Richard for this. I got to avenge a loss. Forget all the build-up and what was said – it’s just a part of boxing, unfortunately.

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for him and that is why I was so good tonight – because I perform when I respect my opponents, in terms of what they can do.

“I had to execute that game plan, because of how dangerous he is.

“I’d like to thank Crystal Palace and Steve Parish (chairman) for putting on this show. As a kid, and a football fan, I wanted to play football in the Premier League. I wouldn’t say I had two left feet, but I wasn’t good enough. I’ve somehow managed to fight at two Premier League stadiums, which is absolutely wild.

“I think it was a career-best performance. I boxed it to a tee, bar one round.”

It turned out to be a night to forget for all the South London boxers on the show.

Brixton’s Isaac Chamberlain (16-3, eight KOs) lost his Commonwealth cruiserweight title on a unanimous decision to Jack Massey. The vacant European belt was also up for grabs.

Two judges scored it 115-113 to Cheshire’s Massey while the other had it 116-112.

“I felt like it was very close – I’d love that fight again, maybe even in Manchester,” said Chamberlain. “I hurt him a lot because after that he started holding. I’m grateful to be able to do what I love and even just be in fights like this.”

Lewisham light-heavyweight Dan Azeez drew with Croatian Hrvoje Sep in an eight-round contest.

MAIN PICTURE: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER