Chris Billam-Smith's nickname 'The Gentleman' is fitting for a family man who holds local charities close to his heart, but the WBO champion is ready for a “brutal” mission of revenge.
Billam-Smith honed his skills as he prepares to defend his dangerous WBO cruiserweight title against Richard Riakporhe in front of the challenger's home crowd at Selhurst Park on Saturday night. sky sports.
But when it comes to spending time with loved ones at home, husband and father Willem Smith takes a very different approach.
“Boxing is a sport where you can’t be a person who needs to be with your family,” Billam-Smith said.
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Billam-Smith received a cold response from Riakporhe when he predicted a knockout victory.
“It’s a very brutal sport, and the mindset you have to have when you’re sparring is you really don’t want your family around.
“Being with someone you love releases oxytocin, which is not the hormone you need for boxing. You need a lot of adrenaline and testosterone.
“I’m good at switching between the boxing version and the family version. It’s like I become the character.”
At another Premier League stadium, home of his beloved AFC Bournemouth, he beat former teammate Lawrence Okolie just a year ago.
The newly crowned world champion dedicated her win to her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in her life before making a full recovery.
“She has always been my rock and best friend,” he said. “When her brothers moved out and her mom and dad split up, we lived together for a while, just her and me.
“I had my son Frank a few years ago and he gets along really well with me. They have a really special bond. He’s where I get my fighting spirit.”
Outside of boxing, there are two constants that are central to Billam-Smith's life. It's family and Bournemouth.
As a well-supported celebrity athlete, his presence can be felt in many local charities. I am an ambassador for one of them, Bournemouth Foodbank.
After visiting a warehouse full of food and being told they only had one to two months' supply in stock, he was amazed at the scale of the charity's work.
“My wife ended up crying,” he said. “She couldn’t believe how many people were in desperate need, especially now that her cost of living is rising,” she said.
“It was absolutely incredible. The staff were all lovely and they put on a really great event.
“This is more than just food. There are truly amazing people making an important difference to this region.”
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Watch the best moments from Riakporhe's win over Billam-Smith by split decision in 2019.
A lifelong Bournemouth fan, Billam-Smith developed a strong partnership with the football club during his childhood, which opened the door to a number of opportunities.
In a rather unconventional way, he has learned more about the players by hosting a new series on the AFC Bournemouth YouTube channel filmed in a local restaurant.
Billam-Smith asks a series of questions, and players can respond by providing answers or, if they're brave enough, by tucking into a very hot chicken wing.
“It was really fun,” he said. “Hosting something like that – I don’t know if I’m very good at hosting – but the end result was very satisfying.
“I was very nervous at first, but it was amazing to sit with these young people.
“Two of my favorite things come together in one place: AFC Bournemouth and Chicken and Blues.”
The close relationship with the team led Billam-Smith to consider which fighters would be the best boxers.
“If you look at Antoine (Semégno)’s strengths, I think he will be quite useful and powerful,” he said.
“Then there are the likes of Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie. I’m sure they can have a hand too.”
With a wealth of talent in both football and boxing, professional sport on the south coast has never shined brighter.
Perhaps for this reason, beyond wanting to exact revenge on his former opponent, Billam-Smith seems to feel an additional desire to conduct his next fight in a comprehensive manner.
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Ahead of Billam-Smith v Riakporhe, we take a look back at the biggest ringside fight in British boxing history.
It was Riak-Foré who emerged victorious following their first meeting in 2019, but the improved version of 'The Gentleman' is expected to show a more refined performance in their second match.
“(Riakporhe) is not a fighter with a high work rate and he wouldn’t want to do that to me because I would tire him out,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see how he deals with my speed, which is always extreme.”
Riakporhe have ruthlessly shut down their last five opponents, but come the night Billam-Smith is confident he will nullify his rivals' destructive power.
“I can maintain a very high work rate for a really long time,” he said. “My engine, stamina and heart are all there, but a lot of cruiserweights can’t handle that speed.
“I believe anyone in the world would struggle at that rate.”
Last remaining tickets for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe available Via Boxxer.com.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park live on Sky Sports on Saturday 15 June. or Stream NOW
