Tonight started with a question... repeat or revenge?

It ended with a pretty comprehensive answer as Chris Billam-Smith defended his WBO cruiserweight title and earned his revenge in a rematch with Richard Riakporhe.

With everything seemingly nicely tied off on British soil, Billam-Smith is looking for unification bouts as he hopes to take the next step in his career.

Big challenges await the Bournemouth fighter and who would deny him a shot at them?

Thanks, as always, for coming along for the ride!

You can read Kal Sajad's report here.

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom on Sky Sports: "Just never, ever, ever bet against Chris Billam-Smith.

"Every single time he comes through and he was level above.

"He wants to go stateside, the [Gilberto] Ramirez fight sounds good but he wants [Jai] Opetaia as well."

Image source, Getty Images

More from trainer Shane McGuigan on Sky Sports: "I would love the [Gilberto] Ramirez fight.

"I would love [Jai] Opetaia to win the WBC [in his next fight] and then unify the titles.

"Next summer, that would be a fantastic fight. We've matched him extremely well."

Billam-Smith seems set to chase a unification fight, but who are the other champions?

Australia's Jai Opetaia holds the IBF title and is undefeated in 25 fights with 19 knockouts.

Mexican Gilberto Ramirez is the WBA (Super) champion and has just one loss in 47 fights.

Finally there is Armenian-German Noel Mikaelian, who is the WBC title holder and has a record of 27 wins and two losses.

Quite the field of contenders!

Image source, Getty Images

What next for Riakporhe?

That is the first loss on his record - he is now 17-1.

Often talk turns to a trilogy on nights like this but I'm not sure how much interest there would be in that.

Riakporhe was a level below world champion Billam-Smith tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Billam-Smith's trainer Shane McGuigan on Sky Sports: "He has a great performance and sometimes, a lacklustre performance.

"When his back is against the wall is the best Chris Billam-Smith.

"He never lost his base, he frustrated him. This might be Chris Billam-Smith's best performance when we look back at his whole career."

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew on X: "Well I got that wrong! Thought that Riakporhe would come from behind to score a late TKO victory! CBS is possibly the most improved fighter in the whole country! Going from strength to strength. Only person left to face in the division is Jai [Opetaia now. Well done Chris Billam-Smith."

Chris Billam-Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "Me Shane and Josh had a chat earlier today and it calmed the nerves. I think I boxed to a tee barring one round, really good performance.

"Shane [McGuigan] is a master, the best coach in the world."

"He [Riakporhe] can punch through all his ranges and the left hand as well, the game plan was spot on from Shane. Really happy with that."

What next? "Vegas baby. If we can get that fight in America. Take me stateside, let's get out there."

"Where the football stadium is in Boscombe [Bournemouth] is Bos Vegas, from there to Las Vegas, what a story.

"That was closer than I thought. The right man won. Rich is a great fighter, we're all Palace fans this summer having four players [for England] in the Euros. I've got great respect for Richard, he's a great fighter, he just needed more experience.

"The whole show being built around Richard let me focus. There was a few issues at the end of camp but that chat today sorted me right out."

Was that Billam-Smith's career-best performance? Flawless from the reigning champion.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Charlotte on X: "Cards were far too close there after a brilliant performance from Chris Billam-Smith."

Billam-Smith has never fought outside of the UK but he's let us all know exactly what he wants next.

"Vegas baby!"

The world is his oyster now as he looks to other champions after dealing with the one blemish on his record.

Full interview to follow.

Viddal Riley
British crusierweight on Sky Sports

Off that performance, it may be too early to say but I think he deserves a unification fight. At this stage of his career, maybe it is the big fights that gets him up for the occasion.

Billam-Smith has revenge and that must taste sweet!

The Gentleman lives up to his name as he goes across to shake the hand of Riakporhe, there's no bad blood there.

Billam-Smith lost by split decision when the pair met in 2019 but he proves, as he has said all week, that he's a different fighter now. He's on a different level.

No doubt he'll be looking for a unification fight.

Image source, Reuters

Matthew Macklin
Former boxer on Sky Sports

Chris Billam-Smith was certainly up for it tonight. It was a top class performance.

Billam-Smith retains his WBO cruiserweight title.

We all knew which way that was going.

One judge scored it 116-111 in Billam-Smith's favour with the other two scoring it 115-112.

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Macklin
Former boxer on Sky Sports

A fantastic performance, tactically on top and Chris Billam-Smith was constantly on top and he was not going to be denied tonight.

Billam-Smith immediately sprinted to the corner and climbed the ropes to celebrate once the final bell rang and his team were quick to climb in the ring to congratulate him.

Trainer Shane McGuigan pumps his fist in the air and it's smiles all round.

Keep in mind we are yet to get the result but it seems a formality.

Dan George
BBC Sport at Selhurst Park

That's it, after 12 rounds we go to the judges' scorecards.

Riakporhe is deducted a point in the final round.

A nervous Selhurst Park awaits...

Matthew Macklin
Former boxer on Sky Sports

Chris Billam-Smith has never let Richard Riakporhe get on top in this fight.

Billam-Smith is being such a menace, he looks so frustrating to fight.

He's right up close to Riakporhe, not allowing any space and just digging short shots in at the body and under the chin.

It's all about just getting through this round now without doing anything silly.

Riakporhe is deducted a point for using his head again. That has been on the cards for a while but likely doesn't have a major impact on how the scorecards were already going to look.