By Chris Billam-Smith, the WBO cruiserweight champion, is gearing up for a potential unification bout after defending his title against Richard Riakporhe. WBC champion Noel Mikaelian expressed his readiness to fight in the UK, stating, “Let’s get it on!” Mikaelian praised British boxing and fans, and is open to facing Billam-Smith on his home turf.
Mikaelian, confident in his speed and punching power, recounted his victories, including a notable win over Ilunga Makabu. He emphasized his adaptability and eagerness to fight in Britain, highlighting the positive impact it would have on the sport.
Meanwhile, Billam-Smith is also in talks with WBA titleholder Gilberto Ramirez for a unification clash, potentially in Las Vegas. He shared his excitement about the prospect of fighting in the US, inspired by Ricky Hatton’s legacy.
Ben Shalom, BOXXER promoter, praised Billam-Smith’s performance and underscored the importance of unification fights for his career. Shalom mentioned that fighting in Las Vegas has been a long-held dream for Billam-Smith and that they are working to make it a reality. He expressed confidence in Billam-Smith’s ability to compete against any cruiserweight champion.
