Will Chris Billam and Smith soon unify their world titles? Rival champions welcome showdown in Las Vegas | Boxing news

Chris Billam-Smith successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title for the second time on Saturday when he defeated Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Now he is ready for unification fights with the rival champions.

Noel Mikaelian, who won the WBC title last year when he knocked out Ilunga Makabu, will have to defend his belt, but he is excited to face Billam-Smith and is willing to travel to do so.

“Let’s do this,” Mikaelian explained.

“He’s a great guy, he’s got a lot of fans in the UK and I’d love to fight him in the UK because boxing is at its biggest in the UK right now. The British fans are great and I’d love to fight in the UK,” he said. Sky Sports.

He warned: “I’m fast, I have good footwork and a tremendous punch that many people don’t know about.”

“I’m practically an undefeated fighter. I beat Mairis Briedis and (Krzysztof) Wlodarczyk on their turf, I just missed the decisive point, and finally I beat Makabu, who was an incredible puncher, a hard hitter in just three rounds, he didn’t get a single punch (in),” he added.

“I can adapt to any style… Any place, any style.

“It would be a pleasure for me to share the ring with Billam-Smith on his turf.

“It would be great for the sport and I would love to fight in the UK.”

But Chris Billam-Smith may be planning an away day himself.

He announced that he was in talks with Gilberto Ramirez to meet the Mexican in a fight to unify the WBA and WBO titles.

“He congratulated me and said when you’re ready, let’s get together. I told him the same thing after his fight with (Arsen) Goulamirian and I believe Golden Boy has already contacted BOXXER,” said Billam-Smith. Sky Sports News.

“I think the November or December time frame would make sense (for that). There’s so much at stake, but I think it will happen this year.”

“(The fight against) ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez excites me so much because it will most likely take place in America since that is where he is fighting,” he added.

“The whole thing about moving to America is the stuff dreams are made of. I grew up watching Ricky Hatton and what he did here and then I went to America and did his thing there. It’s crazy to think that I’m in this situation now. Most likely my next fight will be overseas and hopefully the ‘Zurdo’ fight.

“If we can make it to Vegas, it would be a great unification fight. And to fight Jai Opetaia (the IBF champion) after that would be phenomenal.”

“Especially if Jai could get the other belt and we could make it an undisputed cruiserweight title. That would be perfect.”

“It must be the turn of associations next”

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom said: “It was an incredible night at Selhurst Park. A fantastic atmosphere and a phenomenal performance from Chris Billam-Smith. Richard Riakporhe will be disappointed, he didn’t get going but Chris was miles better. He fought through a game plan and executed it perfectly.

“The next step for him is unification. This was his third world championship fight and he proved he is an elite champion.

“It has always been Chris’ dream to fight in Las Vegas. A unification against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Las Vegas could happen. Chris is in a good position. He can choose his opponent. It is our job to look at the options and give him the best fight.

“Given his roots and his past accomplishments, I wouldn’t bet against any of the other cruiserweight champions.”