Billam-Smith questions validity of Riakporhe's Crystal Palace connection

Chris Billam-Smith continued to question the validity of rival Richard Riakporhe’s Crystal Palace allegiance – with the pair set to collide once again later this year.

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom confirmed the duo had signed to face each other, with Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title set to be on the line.

With a date and venue for the bout still set to be announced, Shalom stated AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium and Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park were being considered as locations.

But Billam-Smith, a season-ticket holder at Cherries as a youngster, insisted he was “not sure” about Riakporhe being a Palace fan.

Speaking about Riakporhe to Total Guide to Dorset, following his most recent win against Mateusz Masternak at the BIC, Billam-Smith said: “I’m not sure about that Palace fanbase!

“I’ve got pictures of him in a Millwall shirt, saying I’m Millwall and all sorts, so he shouldn’t be going down that route trying to steal Ellie Scotney’s fanbase!”

Billam-Smith’s coach Shane McGuigan added: “When he fought him last he was a Millwall fan!”

Selhurst Park seems a bit random, considering he's a #Millwall fan

See you back all soon back at Vitality

Up the Cherries ??????#AFCB https://t.co/7T5GD9qnkD

— Chris Billam-Smith (@ChrisBillam) January 18, 2024

Inside the ring, Riakporhe remains the only fighter to put a blemish on Billam-Smith’s professional record.

The man nicknamed the Midnight Train has 17 victories and no defeats to his name, with 13 of those wins coming inside the scheduled distance.

Riakporhe overcame Billam-Smith via a controversial split decision victory in July 2019.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the contest, Shalom said: "It's something that Richard has worked towards a long time as people know. It's a rematch for Chris Billam-Smith, so it means a lot to him, the only loss on his record.

"A special fight in a division that's really thriving but also two guys that people really enjoy watching for different reasons.

"Chris Billam-Smith is a fan favourite and guy that always delivers entertainment and then Richard Riakporhe has phenomenal freakish power and it's just going to be an incredible moment, an incredible fight for both of them with so much on the line.”

(Picture: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER)