Richard Riakporhe claims he faced a better version of Chris Billam-Smith back in 2019 compared to the one he will challenge for a cruiserweight world title this Saturday.
'The Midnight Train' prevailed on that occasion, beating Billam-Smith in a split-decision victory that would go on to serve as a major talking point ahead of the pair's high-stakes rematch. Billam-Smith has since gone on to defeat Lawrence Okolie to clinch the WBO belt, at which Riakporhe has earned a deserved shot by extending his perfect record to 17-0. While the champion believes he arrives a vastly-improved fighter, Riakporhe is not convinced.
And against Masternak I was losing the fight and did the best job on him that anybody has ever done in one of my worst performances, that should be concerning for you. 'You're a more refined version now, but stylistically that's not good against me. You're better when you're more raw.
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