Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe will likely take place on June 15

By Declan Taylor

CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH is set to defend his world cruiserweight title against Richard Riakporhe on June 15.

Negotiations to stage the highly anticipated rematch between the two Brits have been lengthy and remain ongoing.

And, although there is still no decision made on a venue, Boxing News understands that June 15 is currently the working date for the fight.

When Boxing News spoke to Ben Shalom a month ago, he said an announcement on the fight was imminent. Yet there is still no official confirmation.

Even so, it is understood that they will meet on June 15 in a rerun of their 2019 showdown which remains Billam-Smith’s only defeat.

Riakporhe won a 10-round split decision at the o2 Arena that night and remains undefeated while Billam-Smith rebuilt and won the WBO cruiserweight title nine fights later.

He has since defended it once via an eighth-round stoppage of Mateusz Masternak in December, but will finally get his chance at revenge against the London puncher.

Riakporhe, 34, remains undefeated and is currently 17-0 and heads into the Billam-Smith fight off the back of five straight inside-distance wins.