Chris “Billam” Smith will be looking to retain his status as the WBO cruiserweight champion when he defends his title against Richard Liakporhe at Selhurst Park in London on June 15. The 12-round bout and undercard bouts will be broadcast on Peacock in the United States.
A two-time English National Championship silver medallist, Billam Smith (19-1) started boxing at the age of 16 and turned professional in 2017. “The Gentleman” lost to Riakporhe in 2019 but has since won nine bouts. He won the Commonwealth cruiserweight title that same year and the coveted British cruiserweight championship in 2021.
Billam-Smith successfully defended the belt once last year, defeating former compatriot Lawrence Okolie.
He's a +188 underdog (per BetMGM), but the affable Englishman is ready to defy the odds at the home of Crystal Palace FC.
“It's a big fight, I'm a football fan and I'm in a different football stadium and when I finish my career I can say I won a world title with Bournemouth and defended it at Selhurst Park so it's pretty special for me. I get goosebumps. I have a siege mentality. Here we go. Again I go into this fight as the underdog so I'm very happy,” Billam Smith told Boxing Scene.
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Liakporhe (17-0) won the British cruiserweight title in 2019. The 34-year-old has won 13 bouts by knockout and has won five straight bouts with his power punches.
The undercard bout of Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Liakporhe will see a local fighter battle it out for gold while a promising prospect will be looking to continue his impressive winning streak.
Chris “Biram” Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe Undercard
Check out all the action from Biram Smith vs Liakporhe below.
Isaac Chamberlain vs. Jack Massey
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Chamberlain's Record: 16-2
- Massy Records: 21-2
- The belt is fastened: Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles
Isaac Chamberlain face Jack MasseyThe former will defend his Commonwealth cruiserweight title and fight for the vacant European belt.
Chamberlain (16-2), who is on a two-fight winning streak and is a sparring partner of former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, beat Mikhael Kawaru to win the British and Commonwealth titles in October.
Massey (21-2), a former European champion, had his four-fight winning streak stopped by former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker last January. He bounced back with a TKO win in his last bout.
Ben Whittaker vs. Ezra Aleñeca
- Division/Weight: Light heavyweight
- Whittaker's record: 7-0
- Alenieka record: 12-0
- The belt is fastened: Not applicable
Ben Whittaker face Ezra Aleñeca.
Whittaker (7-0) is an Olympic silver medalist in 2020. “The Surgeon” turns pro in 2022 and has two wins in 2023 and two already in 2024. Whittaker is a flashy boater known for dancing around the ring before crushing his opponents.
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Alenieka (12-0) will be competing in the UK for the first time since 2022. The “King of Africa” has won all but two of his fights by knockout.
Dan Angie vs. Hrvoje Sep
- Division/Weight: Light heavyweight
- Angie's Records: 20-1
- September Record: 12-2
- The belt is fastened: Not applicable
Further down on the card Dan Angie versus September 10
A three-time ABA South of England champion, Azeez (20-1), won the English light heavyweight title in 2019 and the Commonwealth title in 2022. “Super” had his unbeaten record ended when he faced Joshua Buatsi in February with the British and Commonwealth belts on the line.
Sep (12-2) will be competing in the UK for the first time. The Croatian has two wins and two losses in his last four matches.
Francesca Hennessy vs. Dorota Norek
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Hennessy Records: 3-0
- Norek Records: 7-4
- The belt is fastened: Not applicable
Francesca Hennessy and Dorota Norek Bantamweight showdown.
Hennessy (3-0), a two-time national champion, is looking to win his second title in 2024.
Norek (7-4) is 1-2 in his last three fights, with the Polish fighter winning by knockout.
De'Vaughn Miller vs. Edwin Mosquera
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Mirror Records: 7-1
- Mosquera Records: 12-4-2
- The belt is fastened: Not applicable
Devon Miller face Edwin Mosquera.
Miller (7-1) has won five of his bouts by knockout. The 28-year-old Miller will aim to go 3-0 in 2024.
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Mosquera (12-4-2) will be competing in the UK for the first time. The Colombian is on a two-fight win streak after four straight losses.
Mitchell's Friathon vs. TBA
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Free-a-thon Record: 10-1-1
- Undetermined record: to be decided
- The belt is fastened: Not applicable
finally, Mitchell Frieson The opponent has not yet been decided.
Friarson (10-1-1) is coming off a rebound win in May after losing to Brad Pauls for British middleweight gold last September.
Chris Biram Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe Tune-in Information
- date: Saturday, June 15th
- time: 2pm EST | 7pm BST | 4am AEST (Sunday)
- position: Selhurst Park — London
- channel: Peacock (US – $5.99/month) | Sky Sports (UK)
- Watch from anywhere with NordVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
