CHRIS Billam-Smith admits clinching a professional boxing title at the first attempt would be a key milestone in his career – but wants more belts to follow.

The Bournemouth cruiserweight will take on unbeaten talent Richard Riakporhe for his WBA Inter-Continental title at the O2 Arena on Saturday, July 20.

The contest is set to feature on the undercard for Dillian Whyte’s pay-per-view heavyweight clash with Oscar Rivas.

Billam-Smith hopes victory over Riakporhe in front of a large crowd and television audience will boost his reputation and spark a climb up the rankings.

He said: “This will be the first title that I’ve boxed for as a professional and it’s important to get it under my belt in order to progress.

“I want to pick up as many belts as I can and move up the rankings quickly. It’s the perfect platform for me with it being on Sky Sports Box Office and at such a great arena that I’ve been to many times as a fan over the years."

"I’m excited to bring a big fanbase with me and start the show with a bang.”

Before his title fight, the 28-year-old is set to face Yassine Habachi in Nottingham on Friday.

Discussing the Habachi contest, which is part of a JD NXTGEN show, Billam-Smith said: “He looks like he comes for a fight and has a come-forward style.

“These fights can be a potential banana skin so I need to focus and take my A game.

“Some people in the crowd or watching on Sky Sports might be looking at it for the Riakporhe fight, so I am looking forward to showing them what I can do.”

Riakporhe holds a 9-0 record going into his second title defence against the former Poole ABC man after technical knockout wins in his past two fights against Sam Hyde to claim the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title last November and Tommy McCarthy in March.

However, ‘The Gentleman’ insists he can get the job done inside the distance against London-born Riakporhe.

“I believe it’s going to be an exciting fight for the fans,” said Billam-Smith.

“You only have to look at our records to see that we both carry knockout power and the ability to end fights at any time.

“Isaac Chamberlain didn’t want to know so we moved on swiftly and secured a better fight with Riakporhe, I’m not letting anyone stall my career.

“I think I’ll outbox him early on and I believe I’ll take him out when I get the chance – I don’t expect this to go the full 10 rounds.

“I believe that I’ll take him out anywhere between four and six rounds.

“He’s a good scalp for me at this stage of my career as his record looks great on paper and he can obviously punch a bit. There’s definitely weaknesses there which I plan to exploit.”