We lately discovered that Chris Billam-Smith, Britain’s prime cruiserweight behind Lawrence Okolie, will return to motion in simply over a month in opposition to Armend Xhoxhaj. We now know what his chief rival’s plans are, as Ben Shalom tells Sky Sports activities that Richard Riakporhe will meet former champion Krzysztof Glowacki, “probably” this coming January.
Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KO) scraped previous Billam-Smith after they met as unbeatens in 2019 and rapidly adopted up with a choice over Jack Massey for the British title. He’s been on the warpath of late, beating down Deion Jumah in March and subsequently crushing Fabio Turchi with a second-round physique shot.
Shalom says that Billam-Smith shall be seeking to problem Jai Opetaia for the IBF title subsequent spring, however Riakporhe sits above him within the rankings at no. 2. I wouldn’t be massively stunned to see the IBF order a rematch for necessary standing except Opetaia takes a voluntary protection in opposition to Billam-Smith.
That’s assuming Riakporhe will get previous Glowacki (32-3, 2 KO). The 36-year-old is unquestionably on the downswing after stoppage losses to Mairis Briedis and the aforementioned Okolie, however he solely ever falls quick in opposition to one of the best and is definitely probably the most credentialed opponent of Riakporhe’s profession. Strong matchmaking right here; a dominant win over a talented veteran would give Riakporhe a superb argument for a title shot by the tip of 2023.
