Richard Riakporhe says Chris Billam-Smith has “deteriorated” since the pair last met five years ago and believes his power will prove too great for his British rival when the pair meet on June 15.
Billam-Smith will have the opportunity to right the only blemish on his professional record when he defends his WBO world cruiserweight title against Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace.
The champion finished second in a split decision win for Riakporhe when they fought back in 2019, but now stands as the man between The Midnight Train and a long-awaited world title.
Riakporhe claimed he had made the most notable progress since the pair last met and believes Billam-Smith has weakened in the face of a series of tough fights.
“Many boxing people would agree with me that it is attrition, that is a fact,” Riakporhe said at the opening press conference on Wednesday.
“We deteriorate over time, some faster than others depending on how much damage you take. He’s always in fierce fights and takes a lot of shots, Shane always says he takes too many shots.”
“Every shot takes its toll, I’ve seen Billam-Smith deteriorate, a lot of people would agree with me.”
“I’ve seen tough guys, we think they have the chin to take damage, but once you knock on the glass and get the crack, all it takes is a little precision to destroy the whole thing. I think that’s what’s going to happen with CBS that night.”
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Watch the best moments from Richard Riakporhe’s split decision win over Chris Billam-Smith in 2019
Riakporhe has a 17-0 record as a professional, with 13 of his wins coming by knockout stage. In his last outing, he brutally defeated Dylan Bregeon in the second round.
His one-punch, knockout ferocity has long been touted as the south Londoner’s most fearsome strength and he plans to use it again this summer.
“That’s my key attribute, like he has a chin and is tough, my attribute is strength. If I land a shot, he’s going to be in trouble,” he said.
“I’m more experienced now, I know how to take people out and finish a fight.”
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Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe face off in the Sky Sports News studio ahead of their world title fight at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace on June 15
Billam-Smith laughed off his opponent’s suggestions that he had “worsened” and insisted he had put up a more impressive list of opponents since their first meeting.
His resume includes a unanimous decision win over Isaac Chamberlain in 2022, as well as a majority decision win to dethrone Lawrence Okolie last May and a successful title defense against Mateusz Masternak.
“Being tough helps win fights and I need to be tough again,” Billam-Smith said. “He has a chance to get a puncher.
“I don’t know if he’s panicking but he’s not going to win the fight, he only has a puncher’s chance.”
“Allow him to believe what he wants. If you ask me if I think I’ve gotten worse, absolutely not. I’m getting better in the gym every day.
“Me and my team know what to do, what I am capable of and where I am in my career.”
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Richard Riakporhe made a frightening prediction after it was revealed he will face Chris Billam-Smith at Selhurst Park in June
Riakporhe believes he has a “psychological advantage” over Billam-Smith given his first win, but is not tempted to dwell too much on the result from five years ago.
He previously joked that he would chase his counterpart’s dreams A Nightmare on Elm Street Antagonist Freddy Krueger.
“June 15 will be your downfall,” he said. “Bring your pillow, he’ll get enough sleep if I knock him out.”
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