“Chris Billam-Smith aims for world title unification by targeting Gilberto Ramirez after defeating Richard Riakporhe. Discover his plans to add the WBA belt to his WBO title and his quest for international boxing glory.”
After defeating Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, Chris Billam-Smith is setting his sights on international glory. The British boxer aims to unify titles by challenging Gilberto Ramirez next, seeking to add the WBA belt to his current WBO title. Billam-Smith, who has successfully defended his WBO title in two UK stadium fights, is eager to continue his winning streak and cement his legacy as a unified champion. With an eye on expanding his dominance beyond the UK, this potential clash with Ramirez could be a defining moment in his career. Fans and boxing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this high-stakes showdown, which promises to be a thrilling battle for supremacy in the boxing world. Stay tuned for updates on Chris Billam-Smith’s journey to becoming a unified world champi
## Chris Billam-Smith Settles Score with Richard Riakporhe
Chris Billam-Smith has successfully avenged his only previous professional defeat by triumphing over Richard Riakporhe and defending his WBO cruiserweight world title for the second time.
## Second World Title Fight at a Premier League Stadium
This victory marks his second world title fight at a Premier League football stadium against a British rival. Now, Billam-Smith has his eyes set on Gilberto Ramirez, the WBA cruiserweight titlist, and he is willing to travel to the US to make that fight happen.
## Dreams of Fighting in America
“I’d be really honoured. It would be crazy to make more memories out there,” Billam-Smith stated. “I want to fight in America. Every Brit’s dream is obviously to fight in their home football team’s stadium and then go to America. Ricky Hatton had it.”
## Targeting ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez
“‘Zurdo’ Ramirez is the WBA champion. I would love that belt, that’s the one George Groves won. I would love to fight him [Ramirez] out there; he fights out there so that makes it a possibility.”
Billam-Smith first won the WBO world title in his Bournemouth hometown when he upset Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium.
## Victory at Selhurst Park
This weekend, he traveled to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium to take on Riakporhe at his club. Once again, it was Billam-Smith who rose to the occasion. His prior experience against Okolie at the Vitality Stadium helped him, as did his overall career experience.
“Everything through my career—the experience and the tough fights, the bad performances, the good performances—helped,” Billam-Smith reflected.
## Learning from Champions
“The experience I had being around George Groves, Luke Campbell, Josh Taylor. Barry McGuigan comes and watches most spars, if not all of them. When you’ve got that knowledge around you and that experience around you, you’re constantly learning. That’s why the gym has so much success because we’ve got that conveyor belt of champions.”
## Unanimous Decision Over Riakporhe
Ultimately, Billam-Smith took a clear unanimous decision over Riakporhe, nullifying his challenger’s fearsome punch-power over the course of a rough 12 rounds. “The gameplan was perfect,” he said. “[Felt] really comfortable throughout. Had loads of energy left. The gameplan was don’t waste energy, don’t try and force the fight.”
## Respect for Riakporhe and Supporters
“He had a good start to the fight. He jabbed really well. I wasn’t moving enough. He was jabbing really well, then I started to get my movement in. I respect Richard. I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans,” he added. “We’re all Palace fans this summer, they’ve got plenty of players in the England team.”
## Gratitude and Future Aspirations
“A massive thank you to everyone who supported me. You’ve given me dreams back home and you’ve supported me away.”
For Billam-Smith, his world title dreams just keep on getting bigger. He’s beaten his best rivals in Britain and fought in a stadium twice over. Now he wants to conquer America, and he wants Gilberto Ramirez next.
