Written by Oscar Pick
Success is perhaps the most misunderstood word in the English language. Whether it's driven by qualifications, money or fame, there are always conflicting definitions of what it means to be successful.
For Chris Billam-Smith, there is a desire to be successful in defining his legacy, simply by putting on shows on football fields and in America's unifying belts.
“To compete in two Premier League venues in the space of 13 months is crazy,” he said, recalling the World Cup win at the Vitality Stadium as he heads into his competition at Selhurst Park on Saturday (June 15).
The home clash at the home of Crystal Palace FC is not just about defending the title, however.
As it happens, it's a hot rematch, where the WBO cruiserweight champion will face off against the power of Richard Riakporhe.
Since they first met – when Riakporhe went a little further on points back in 2019 – Billam-Smith has honed his skills in the ring while establishing himself as a top ticket seller on the South Coast.
It was just over a year ago that he revealed his former stablemate, Lawrence Okolie, at the very spot where he once held a season ticket for AFC Bournemouth.
But a few days later, emerging from the pandemonium created by the sold-out crowd, he found that many fans had taken their excitement too far.
“The guy, who I ended up meeting, had to leave before my fight because people were starting over,” Billam-Smith recalled.
“He was there with his two sons, who were about 15 or 16 years old. They were singing Bournemouth songs, as expected, and I think the opposition fans kicked.
“This man has his ear bitten off – it's scary. Stop fighting the fighters.”
This old behavior has never been far from football but, in relation to boxing, it is confusing that the same mentality in the club – about “absent fans” – really exists.
So please, let's remember that this weekend's battle is between Billam-Smith and Riakporhe, not Bournemouth and Palace.
ENCOURAGED GAME. CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH TRAINING, McGUIGAN GYM, LEYTON, LONDON. PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER (FREE PHOTOS FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY). WBO CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH PREPARES TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST RICHARD RIAKPORHE AT CRYSTAL PALACE FC SELHURST PARK AT THE BEN SHALOMS BOXXER CAMPAIGN LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FRIDAY 12TH 10TH.
Back in the world of professional sports, it is often difficult for an athlete to find motivation once they have achieved their dreams.
Without making the mistake of looking beyond his next opponent, Billam-Smith has set himself a new goal since ticking the Vitality Stadium off his bucket list.
“There are only three names left in the hat: other world champions,” he said. “I don't see why there is a fight [with Gilberto Ramirez] it couldn't happen. He fights in America and for me it's a dream.”
After exchanging Instagram DMs with the newly crowned WBA champion, 'The Gentleman' is confident that both teams are eager for the fight.
Ramirez became a two-weight world champion after knocking out Arsen Goulamirian at the Youtube Theatre, California, on a DAZN card promoted by Golden Boy in March.
The combination, perhaps, can make for a compelling clash of styles. But, for Billam-Smith, as long as he can make his US debut, it could be any other champion standing in the opposite corner.
“I stayed up until midnight watching Ricky Hatton, and seeing Darren Barker and Kell Brook win their world titles. [in America] – all those fights highlight me,” he said.
“I remember watching them all on Sky Sports, thinking: 'this looks amazing.'
The lure of America is clearly still playing a big role, despite everyone talking about Saudi Arabia emerging as the new home of big-time boxing.
However, until he gets the chance to fly across the pond, with planes packed with his adoring fans following close behind him, Billam-Smith must cement his reign in the UK.
He said: “[The Riakporhe fight] it is a great opportunity to get rid of the situation at home; going down to the top of the tree in this great era of British cruiserweights.”
By becoming the first world champion to come out of Bournemouth since Freddie Mills, the 33-year-old has exceeded what many would have expected of him.
But battling it out in two Premier League stadiums and playing in front of a home crowd can be an impressive success story in itself, potentially overshadowing any trinkets or pay.
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