Unification is the dream for Billam-Smith

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH would love his old rival Richard Riakporhe to land a cruiserweight world title this year to tee up a unification bout in 2024.

- TOM HOPKINSON  

Billam-Smith, who beat Lawrence Okolie in May to land the WBO crown, lost to Riakporhe by split decision in 2019 (above).

And he would like nothing more than the opportunity to avenge that defeat in a world title showdown if Anthony Joshua’s pal can become a belt holder by then as well.

Riakporhe was targeting the IBF cruiserweight title belonging to Jai Opetaia, to whom he was the mandatory challenger, but he withdrew from purse bids on Tuesday.

He said then: “It is clear other parties were simply trying to disrupt my journey, which I won’t let happen.

“I have chosen to go a different route and will be sharing news of another world title opportunity very soon.”