Billam-Smith reveals dressing room mind-games ahead of Riakporhe showdown

World champion Chris Billam-Smith revealed some dressing-room mind games ahead of his huge domestic showdown with Richard Riakporhe tomorrow night.

The man nicknamed ‘The Gentleman’ is poised to defend his WBO cruiserweight belt against Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park.

It is the first time the Shane McGuigan-trained star has fought outside of Bournemouth since 2022, with Londoner Riakporhe holding home advantage.

But Billam-Smith revealed how he and the McGuigans would still have the home dressing room for the contest, as he exercised his right as champion.

The former Poole ABC man told Sky Sports: "The team got it in the contract - champion's rights.

"I get to choose the dressing room. They picked the nicer dressing room for me which is obviously the home one as with every football stadium and that's good management for you.

“I think it did bother him, from we've been asked numerous times after it got put in the contract.

“Jake (McGuigan, Billam-Smith’s manager) told me the other day he's been asked numerous times what changing room I want, even though Jake had repeatedly said the home one.

"So it must bother him. Someone must be asking or trying to get it for him."

"We're prepared for everything" ??@ChrisBillam is ready for whatever @R_Riakporhe brings on Saturday night ??#BillamSmithRiakporhe | 15.06.24 | Selhurst Park | @SkySportsBoxing | @peacock | @CPFC pic.twitter.com/3N0TQlUf9U

— BOXXER (@boxxer) June 13, 2024

Billam-Smith will be looking to avenge the only loss of his professional career in the showdown against unbeaten Riakporhe.

Since tasting defeat on a split decision to the ‘Midnight Train’ in July 2019, the 33-year-old has won 10 times on his way to claiming the world crown.

"I'm different in so many ways," said avid AFC Bournemouth fan Billam-Smith, when asked about the first fight between the two.

"It's so irrelevant as I almost see me as a different person and almost see myself as if it was 20 years ago.

“All the experience I've had of world championship fights, caps and headlining the big shows – I will use all that experience and go there and perform.”

(Picture: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER)