If Chris “Biram” Smith successfully defends his WBO cruiserweight title for the second time by getting revenge against Richard Liakporhe at Selhurst Park in London, he will likely have his sights set on another beltholder in the division.
Billam Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) won the title last May, beating former gym mate Lawrence Okolie on points to claim the title in front of the roaring home crowd at Vitality Stadium, home of beloved AFC Bournemouth, before defeating Mateusz Masternak in an eighth-round stoppage in December.
“[Unification] “It's a natural progression,” said Billam-Smith's trainer Shane McGuigan. “The domestic fight is over now and this is his second world title fight and his second stadium fight.”
“I would like to see the possibility of him going overseas. [Gilberto] Zurdo Ramirez is [the WBA title]defeating Arsen Gramilyan, and the fight could potentially take place in the United States.
“We will see what our options are, because he loves boxing at home in front of a British crowd, but we will stay in cruiserweight and aim to win another belt.”
For now, the 33-year-old Billam-Smith is focused on defeating his opponent, whom he narrowly beat in a 10-round bout in July 2019 when both fighters were 9-0. Riakporhe, 34, who is one year older, is currently 17-0 (13) and is a 2-5 favorite according to British bookmakers.
“I just have to be myself,” he said of his keys to winning. “I always come in with intensity and aggression, so I just have to do that, stay safe and play to the best of my ability.”
A trip to Selhurst Park, home of Riakporge's Crystal Palace, will not be an issue for the champions.
“i don't think so [the crowd] “In terms of the home crowd and the away crowd, it's going to be as one-sided as me and Lawrence,” Billam-Smith said, “but I need to focus on myself.”
