THE success of Chris Billam-Smith is a two-sided coin. On one side it seemed unexpected and on the other it’s been fully expected.
Billam-Smith, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on August 2, will on Saturday go into battle at another Premier League football stadium to defend the WBO cruiserweight crown he won inside Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium just over a year ago.
He will, at London’s Selhurt Park, rematch long-time rival Richard Riakporhe. The storyline centres on their first encounter, a 10-round contest Riakporhe shaded on a split decision five years ago.
That was another page in the surprising story of ‘The Gentleman’, which has pieced together a tale of discipline, determination, family, hard work, success and a neverending hunger to improve. Ambitions of world titles and moments fit for the big screen didn’t sit anywhere in Billam-Smith’s thought process when he turned professional, but he believes where he’s
