BOURNEMOUTH boxing star Chris Billam-Smith revealed how he hoped for his upcoming title fight with Richard Riakporhe would be staged at Cherries’ Vitality Stadium home.

The ‘Gentleman’ returns to the ring on Saturday, June 15, at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park to face Riakporhe – the London brawler the only boxer to have defeated Billam-Smith professionally.

Billam-Smith earned his WBO cruiserweight world title with a stunning victory over Lawrence Okolie at Dean Court in May 2023, before defending the belt with a win over Pole Mateusz Masternak at the Bournemouth International Centre in December.

Having already tasted glory boxing in a football stadium, Billam-Smith believes the ‘away day’ aspect to the fight will serve as further motivation in camp.

He shared: “It’s another football stadium for me -  I had a special night last year.

“To be honest, we did try and get it at the football stadium at Bournemouth again, but I’m quite glad it’s not.

“It gives me more motivation going into the lion’s den. That gives me that buzz, and what makes a camp even more enjoyable.”

In July 2019 Riakporhe became the first fighter to defeat Billam-Smith, beating the Cherries supporter by split decision at the O2 Arena in London for the WBA inter-continental cruiserweight title.

Asked if the aspect of avenge his only professional loss came into play, Billam-Smith responded: “No different dynamic.

“I guess any fighter is going to want to avenge a loss, and I’m grateful I get that opportunity.

“That’s what all the greats through history, if they’ve lost they’ve wanted to avenge it and that’s what they’ve done.

“I’m glad I get to do that.”

Riakporhe himself believes his previous victory gives him an edge heading into the contest.

“It gives me a little bit of a psychological edge, because I know that I’ve beat him before,” explained the 34-year-old nicknamed the ‘Midnight Train’.

“But at the same time, I don’t like to rest on past victories.

“I believe every single day a new demand is demanded of you, and that’s for you to step up, train hard.

“Things change. If you rest on past victories, it can cloud your judgment and make you under perform.

“It will give you a false sense of security. I’m definitely not going to do that against Chris Billam-Smith. He’s come on leaps and bounds.

“He's taken the traditional route, which I respect. He’s become world champion, and now it’s my turn to take it off him.”