Richard Riakporhe claims he faces a better version of Chris Billam-Smith in 2019 compared to the one who will challenge for the world cruiserweight title this Saturday.
‘The Midnight Train’ prevailed on that occasion, defeating Billam-Smith with a split-decision victory that will be a major talking point ahead of the pair’s rematch.
Billam-Smith has since defeated Lawrence Okolie to capture the WBO belt, where Riakporhe has earned a well-deserved blow by improving his perfect record to 17-0.
While the champion believed he would be the better fighter, Riakporhe wasn’t convinced.
“I have to argue because the way I see it, I have to look back at your matches and how you performed in the last three and you didn’t win many rounds in the last three matches,” Riakporhe said.
“The truth is, the underlying problem is that you’re broken. And it’s obvious.
“You can smile and laugh about it, but it’s true. It’s the talk of the town.
“What I want is what I can see and I’ve been in every one of your matches and I’m sure when you beat me, you’re better. It’s my honest opinion, you’re better. you don’t move your head, you take too much.”
In Billam-Smith’s last three fights, he defended his world title against Mateusz Masternak after retiring in the eighth round, having beaten Okolie by majority decision and beaten Armend Xhoxhaj in the fifth round earlier.
“You go back to the Armend Xhoxhaj fight, which was five rounds and I could have won two or three of them,” said Billam-Smith. “Maybe it would have been a draw in the fifth round but I lost.
“Then won the majority of the rounds and had three knockdowns against Lawrence. And against Masternak, I lost the fight and did the best job anyone has ever done for him in one of his worst performances, which must have been for you.
“You’re a more refined version now, but stylistically that’s not good for me. You’re better when you’re more raw.”
Riakporhe’s main strength is that of elite power which has seen him cruise to 13 knockout victories in his career, with the south Londoner previously suggesting he would stop Billam-Smith in three rounds.
While his greatest weapon is no secret, Riakporhe believes he brings the art of unpredictability.
“Yes, I’m still raw,” said Riakporhe. “I am still the same person, I learn every day. There is no full version of Richard Riakporhe.
“You don’t know what’s coming. That’s what makes me more dangerous. Because I don’t know.
“But we know what we will get with you, Chris Billam-Smith. The fans themselves, when I’m ringside, they talk down at you. It’s a fact.”
Not once did Billam-Smith stop to consider the lingering effects of losing to Riakporhe five years ago, and neither did he plan as he entered the week of the fight.
He believed that he was a more dangerous proposition for Billam-Smith in antiquity. Although his opponent did not.
“The result is irrelevant. If it’s relevant, he should be world champion in this fight, but he’s not.
“We watched the highlights the other day and, height-wise, he hasn’t changed, whereas I look like a boy and about two stone lighter than I am now.
“I’m going to be stronger and more powerful tonight. I’m also more experienced in every way – and better.”
“Me. Night and day. He hasn’t boxed at the level that I have.”
Only 30 percent of tickets remain for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe. Get your tickets now via Boxxer.com.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO world cruiserweight title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday 15 June.