Chris Billam-Smith v Richard Riakporhe.

Big one tomorrow night for myself. Been buzzing about this potential fight for a couple of years and now it is finally here.

CBS v my boy Riakporhe for the WBO World Cruiserweight Title.

I think Riakporhe wins inside the distance, very hard hitting with both hands whilst CBS has poor head movement (imo) and whilst he is very very tough and durable, he takes a lot of punishment. All chins eventually crack. I cannot look past Richard. A very powerful bloke. Expect a full on war, no 1st round touchy feely finding each other out. It'll be straight down to it I reckon.

On the under card, Dan Azeez is back at LHW after his loss to Joshua Buatsi earlier this year and he fights the Croatian lad Hvoje Sep whom I know nothing off except he likes to come forward. I think Dan gets the job done via Points.

Issac Chamberlain fights Jack Massey for the European Cruiserweight title. I like Issac and I hope, after giving up his recently won British Title to fight for this, wins. Massey though fought at Heavyweight v Joseph Parker back around 18 months ago, lost on Points off memory and as each day goes, it looks superb on his resume despite it being a defeat given Parker has since beaten both Wilder and Zhang.

Lastly, we have Mr Marmite (I don't like either) Ben Whittaker (7-0) fighting at LHW v Ezra Arenyeka (12-0). I really want to see someone put it on Whittaker, maybe if he has enough balls, he'll call out Dan Azeez after stating publicly that he'd fight Dan in his "1st five fights" which obviously he then chose not to do so.

Available on SKY. Starts about 1830 iirc.

Great card.

 

At least we both agree it won't go to the cards.

I think this fight will be a classic.

Regards Issac / Massey, both have the ability to out-do the other. It's a really interesting fight. Issac has come on a long way since his 8th or 9th fight v Okolie which was bloody awful to watch... and I watched every round despite my remote screaming at me.

What are you views on Whittaker? I think he gets found out once World Top 10.

 

Well, for starters, I got it completely wrong so Hands Up.

Riakporhe for some reason was reluctant to throw. Disappointed in him given I'm a big fan. I don't know if it was nerves, injury or just fear of being caught back. No excuses though after getting the fight he wanted. Not really sure where he goes from here. So yes, disappointed is the word I'll use to describe such a lacklustre performance. He'll wake up later today full of regrets imo. I'm looking forward to hearing his version of how the fight went and why he lost. It reminded me of the 2 recent shot shy versions of Wilder. If you have the trigger, pull it.

Right man, however, won. CBS is a strange one, World Champion but I don't consider him to be elite. Tough though.

Glad to see that the cocky Whittaker was shown up a tad. Carries imo average at best power. Anyone in the Top 15, if he ever gets there, (as per @CST80 says) folds him. Agile yes but doesn't carry any serious pop.

His lack of OTT showboating after a couple of rounds was interesting from a mental point of view. It was like he expected the other guy, whilst game and limited, to immediately fold and when he didn't, Whittaker seemed puzzled behind the fake in-ring smile.

I think any of the current Top 5-7 Brits at LHW take him out. Needs more to his game than just a gimmick and agility. Still, I'll defend him (whilst not a fan) in that he is only 8 fights in. The next 8 could make or break him.