LONDON, ENGLAND – (November 7, 2023) – Top cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe returns to the ring on Saturday, November 18th as he looks to maintain his unbeaten record and remain on course for a world title challenge as part of the BOXXER: WOLVES AT THE DOOR event taking place at The Halls in Wolverhampton and airing live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA. 

Standing opposite him on fight night will be former French national cruiserweight champion and two-time EBU European Cruiserweight Championship challenger Dylan Bregeon, who has previously taken WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith and newly crowned British and Commonwealth Champion Isaac Chamberlain the distance on previous visits to the UK.

WBO ranked #1 Riakporhe joins a stacked show in Wolves topped by a European title double-header as young phenom Adam Azim challenges EBU Super-Lightweight Champion Franck Petitjean and Tyler Denny aims to continues his Cinderella story as he challenges EBU Middleweight Champion Matteo Signani.

Rising Welsh star Rhys Edwards is also set for action in a featherweight fight with Walsall’s former British and Commonwealth Champion Brad Foster, while local stars Dylan Cheema, Nyall Berry, Gully Power and Tion Gibbs get their chance to shine on the big stage as BOXXER and Sky Sports return to the Midlands for another unmissable night of boxing. 

“A lot has happened since I’ve been away but on November 18th I am back and reminding everyone why I am the number one contender in this division.”  said Riakporhe.

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and founder, said: “It’s been a frustrating few months for us after we did have a world title agreed in France in September. Fortunately, Richard is in a great position and we expect Richard will channel that into his performance on November 18th and come back to the ring with a bang to remind fans – and his fellow cruiserweights – what he’s all about. 

“It’s such an exciting time for the cruiserweight division particularly in the UK. We have Chris Billam-Smith defending his World title against Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth on December 10, Lawrence Okolie preparing for his shot at redemption, and Richard Riakporhe as the WBO’s number one contender waiting for the mandatory to be called. 2024 is going to be an incredible year for the cruiserweights as we look forward to some massive fights between these three men.”

Riakporhe’s undefeated professional career includes tenure as British and WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Champion as well as a win over current WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith, the only loss on Billam-Smith’s record. 

Kiko Martinez became a two-weight world champion as he won the IBF Featherweight champion as he scored a shocking 6th round knockout of defending champion Kid Galahad at The Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England

In round three, Martinez started to bleed over his right eye. In round five, Martinez dropped Galahad with a big overhand right. Martinez landed the first punch of round six just seconds into the stanza on the face of Galahad, who fell straight on his back and the fight was over at six seconds.

Martinez, 125.3 lbs of Alicante, SPA is 43-10-2 with 30 knockouts. Galahad, 125.5 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 28-2.

Baumgardner Stops Harper in 4; Wins WBC Super Featherweight Title

Alycia Baumgardner scored a sensation 4th round stoppage over Terri Harper to win the WBC Super Featherweight championship.

In round four, Baumgardner landed a perfect over hand right that froze the reigning champ on her feet. The fight was stopped just as Baumgardner landed a left hook at 23 seconds.

Baumgardner, 129.5 lbs of Detroit, MI is 11-1 with seven knockouts. Harper, 129.4 lbs of Denby Main, ENG is 11-1-1.

Billiam-Smith Decisions Bregeon

Chris Billam-Smith retained his European Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Dylan Bregeon.

Billiams-Smith, 199.2 lbs of Bournemouth, ENG won by scores of 120-109 and 119-109 twice and is now 14-1. Bregeon, 197.5 lbs of Nantes, FRA is 11-2-1.

In round four, Bregeon was cut around his right ear.

Dixon Decisions McCrory

Donte Dixon remained undefeated with a eight-round decision over Jordan McCrory in a super featherweight contest.

In round six, Dixon dropped McCrory with a body shot. Later in the round, McCrory was deducted a point for holding.

Dixon, 126.1 lbs of Sheffield, ENG won by an 80-71 tally and is now 6-0. McCrory, 131.3 lbs of Cambusling, SCO is `19-8-1.

Hunt Decisions Flint

Dom Hunt won a 10-round decision over James Flint in a battle of undefeated welterweights.

Hunt, 145.2 lbs of Wakefield, ENG won by a 98-93 score and is now 8-0. Flint, 145.5 lbs of Doncaster, ENG is 9-1-1.

Chris Billam-Smith takes another step towards world level this Saturday November 13 when he makes the maiden defence of his EBU European Cruiserweight Title against Frenchman Dylan Bregeon at the Utilita Arena Sheffield, live worldwide on DAZN. 

‘The Gentleman’ (13-1, 10 KOs) withstood a late fightback from Tommy McCarthy to edge out a narrow split points decision to add the British and European Cruiserweight Titles to his Commonwealth Title in an epic battle at the Matchroom HQ in July.

The Bournemouth favourite is making great progress under coach Shane McGuigan, who he has trained with since turning pro in September 2017, and believes that he will be knocking on the door for a World Title opportunity in 2022.

“Tommy McCarthy definitely surprised me,” admitted Billam-Smith. “He’s a lot more elusive than I thought he would be. He was hard to nail clean. I thought I’d be able to nail him cleaner, but I didn’t really catch him that clean throughout the fight, even in the fifth or sixth round when I had him hurt a bit he was still very elusive and tricky. He was always coming back with shots. Respect to Tommy. Everything that was said in the build-up was squashed straight after the fight. 

“I’m hungrier now more than ever. I know it’s a bit of a cliché statement but I really am. I’m doing a lot more in the gym now. I’m trying to perfect the little things even more so than before. Sometimes I guess I was just getting through sessions but now I’m much more meticulous in my training. I’m putting more hours and rounds in. I’m spending more time in the gym and that might be because I’m settled up here now around the corner in Stratford. The future is exciting for me and I’m just really pushing on towards that world level. 

“When you get announced as a defending champion – current British, Commonwealth and European – that will be a nice moment for me. I try and appreciate those moments as much as I can. You sort of can’t really do that in the moment. You watch it back on TV and then you can appreciate it a bit more because you’re switched on in the moment. It’s a nice feeling to hear those words.”

Billam-Smith vs. McCarthy is part of a big night of action in Sheffield, Kid Galahad (28-1, 17 KOs) makes the maiden defence of his IBF Featherweight World Title against former World Champion Kiko Martinez (42-10-2, 29 KOs), WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight ruler Terri Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) returns to put her belts on the line against the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner (10-1, 6 KOs), Donte Dixon (5-0, 3 KO) squares off with Jordan McCorry (19-7-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round Super-Featherweight contest, James Flint (9-0-1, 2 KOs) battles DomHunt (7-0, 1 KO) for the vacant Central Area Welterweight Title, plus there’s action for Harper’s sparring partner Raven Chapman (1-0, 1 KO), Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Khalid Ayub (1-0), Oldham Bantamweight debutant William Cawley and Kings Lynn Featherweight Stevi Levy (4-0).

Fabio Turchi won a 12-round unanimous decision over Dylan Bregeon in a cruiserweight bout in Milan, Italy.

Turchi won by scores of 115-113 on all cards, and is now 19-1. Bregeon of France is 11-1-1.

Matchroom and OPI Since 82 return to the Allianz Cloud in Milan on Friday April 16 for a stacked night of Title action featuring Fabio Turchi vs. Dylan Bregeon and Francesco Patera vs. Devis Boschiero, live on DAZN. 
 
Florence’s Turchi (18-1, 13 KOs) bounced back from his first career loss to Tommy McCarthy by capturing the IBF International Cruiserweight Title against Nikolajs Grisunins last October, and now the ‘Stone Crusher’ faces undefeated Frenchman Bregeon (11-0-1, 3 KOs) for the European Union crown. 
 
Former EBU European Lightweight Champion Patera (23-3, 8 KOs) looks to extend his five-fight winning streak against Italy’s ‘Boom Boom’ Boschiero (48-6-2, 22 KOs) as they battle for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title previously held by America’s rising star Ryan Garcia.
 
Undefeated Super-Middleweights Ivan Zucco (12-0, 10 KOs) and Luca Capuano (11-0, 2 KOs) meet for the Italian Title, plus there’s action for rising Super-Welterweight talent Samuel Nmoah (14-0, 4 KOs), Lazio Super-Lightweight youngster Armando Casamonica (1-0), EBU European Union Featherweight Champion Mauro Forte (14-0-1, 5 KOs) and former EBU European Union Flyweight Champion Mohammed Obbadi (21-1, 13 KOs).
 
Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “On a huge week for the Cruiserweight division that sees Lawrence Okolie take on Krzysztof Glowacki for the WBO World Title, I’m delighted to announce Fabio Turchi’s return to the ring as he looks to climb the rankings towards a World Title shot of his own. We know just how good Francesco Patera is from his win over Lewis Ritson in Newcastle, and I’m confident his clash with Boschiero won’t disappoint. We look forward to another great night in Milan, with all of the action shown around the world on DAZN.”
 
Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “Another important test is waiting Fabio Turchi in his challenge for European Union Title against Dylan Bregeon. Franceso Patera will finally meet Devis Boschiero for the vacant WBC Silver World Title and there’s an interesting Italian Title battle between undefeated Super-Middleweights Ivan Zucco and Luca Capuano. A stacked undercard features Samuel Nmomah, Mauro Forte, Armando Casamonica and Mohammed Obbadi. Don’t miss it, live and on demand on DAZN!”