Boxing
Richard Riakporhe gives update on Chris Billam-Smith rematch
Watch Pacheco vs. Coceres live on DAZN tonight
The two Britons fought in 2019 when Riakporhe claimed the win, which is Billam-Smith’s only professional defeat to date.
Billam-Smith has gone on to claim the WBO cruiserweight champion as he rebuilt his career after defeat, and his next fight will come on December 10 when he defends his belt against Mateusz Masternak.
Billam-Smith questions whether their match-up should have gone the other way, but the victor is ready to settle matters in the ring once more.
He told Sky Sports: "If there's debate about it, we can definitely do it again.
"With that fight it was a close decision. I believe I did enough to win the fight. I was confident that I got the W, even before the scorecards were read out," Riakporhe maintained. "There was one judge that called out the fight in his favour.
"Apart from that, everybody was in favour of me, because I was showing my strength in there, dictating the fight, initiating, throwing cleaner shots, big shots landing.
"If I was more experienced, I would have knocked him out. Definitely knocked him out. I didn't really know what I was doing, smothered my work. It was my ninth fight.
"I'm way more mature now. If I hurt you, I should be able to take you out straightaway."
Riakporhe is the No.1 ranked fighter for the WBO so could soon get the nod as the mandatory challenger.
"That's bound to be ordered very soon. As soon as that's ordered we're going to be literally discussing when, where and who. Because it all depends who comes out on top on December 10.
"I've done a few camps with Mateusz Masternak. I understand his style, I know the way he fights. I know what he's going to bring. He's definitely a warrior, very tough and I think that fight is going to be a very entertaining fight for the boxing public," the Londoner said.
"The styles will definitely gel. Masternak's a warrior. His dream is to become a world champion.
"I think CBS should do it, but he can't take his eye off the ball. He has to be on point every single round, switched on."
