FORMER world champions Carl Froch and Tony Bellew believe Chris Billam-Smith could get the better of unbeaten Richard Riakporhe on Saturday - in the biggest fight of his professional career.

The Bournemouth fighter will go toe-to-toe with Londoner Riakporhe for the WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title at the O2 Arena in London.

And speaking as pundits for Sky Sports ahead of the contest, British stars Froch and Bellew believe the Shane Mcguigan-trained star may claim his first professional belt.

Former WBC, WBA and IBF super-middleweight champion Froch said: “I think Billam-Smith, with his boxing ability – he likes to use his range. I think he gets the win against Riakporhe.

“Riakporhe is capable, he’s dangerous but Billam-Smith for me has got the win.”

Bellew, a former holder of the WBC cruiserweight title, said: “I edge towards Billam-Smith being the better boxer, I really do.

“But Riakporhe has that equaliser and anybody with an equaliser is alive 100 per cent in the fight.”

Leading bookmakers have Riakporhe priced odds-on at 4-9 to claim victory, while former Poole ABC man Billam-Smith is priced at around 7-4 to triumph.