Promoter Ben Shalom thinks it is 50-50.

What are you all thinking?

I've got a fancy for Riakporhe.

Time for you to vote.

Hit the thumbs up for Billam-Smith or thumbs down for Riakporhe.

Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom is expecting a very even main event between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe.

"For me, it will be completely mixed. It is Richard’s first time headlining something like this and this is Chris’ fourth. You are going to have a huge amount of support from Bournemouth, I think it is going to be 50-50 straight down the middle," Shalom told BBC Radio Solent.

"South London and Crystal Palace is obviously here to support Richard as well but I think most people are here for a great night and they are here for a great fight. It is not often you get a domestic world title fight that is a complete 50-50."

Now for WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith.

A knock on his changing room door - the home team changing room too - at Selhurst Park and he's on his way.

And what a song choice, a man after my own heart, he strides out to 'Whatever' by Oasis.

The acoustic guitar of the legendary Manchester band cuts and 'Hail' by Kano drops.

Billam-Smith is all in black with his hood up and looking somewhat like the grim reaper.

Image source, Boxxer

You're stretching my Madonna knowledge and my ability to dig out a pun here Kal.

We've only got 'Four Minutes' until this fight starts so I'll have to leave it there!

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

Did Riakporhe miss a trick by not coming out to a Madonna song?

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

No rain whatsoever. But it's cold, bitterly cold. I've seen a fella in gloves. It's mid June!

It's time for the main event!

Challenger Richard Riakporhe is the first to make the walk.

'Glad All Over' - the song that plays when the players walk out at Selhurst Park - has just raised the atmosphere a notch or two.

And he's accompanied to the ring by M Huncho singing 'Who Decides War?'

Riakporhe has dreamed of this moment for a long time, fighting at the home of his beloved Crystal Palace, and he's soaking it all in.

He's wearing a white robe with the red and blue of the Eagles.

Image source, Getty Images

Pundit and retired bantamweight Spencer Oliver: "It’s very tough to call. I think both guys will go through tough times, maybe even pick themselves up off the floor.

"With fights of this magnitude and with what’s on the line, home advantage could be crucial and I lean just towards Riakporhe to scrape through on a points decision."

British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney: "I'm going with Billam-Smith because he's been in the big football stadium scenario before so he knows what its all about. I've heard Riakporhe is one of the hardest punchers going but Billam-Smith is a top lad and a great fighter."

Retired world super-featherweight champion and pundit Barry Jones: "I’m going with the experience that Billiam-Smith has gained since they both faced each other to just get him over the line. If he can force Riakporhe to fight at a high pace, he might be able to avoid the big right hand and smoother the work of the bigger puncher. So it’s Billiam-Smith to gain revenge, on points."

Former world cruiserweight champion and boxing pundit Johnny Nelson: "I'm predicting a late Riakporhe stoppage win in a hard-fought fight."

Image source, BOXXER

It's just under five years since Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe last shared a ring.

The pair were on the undercard of Dillian Whyte v Oscar Rivas at London's O2 Arena as Riakporhe sealed a split decision win over 10 rounds.

That loss still remains the only blemish on Billam-Smith's 20-fight record.

Billam-Smith has since won 10 in a row and picked up Commonwealth, British and European titles before his crowning glory came in May 2023 when he claimed the WBO world title with a victory over Lawrence Okolie.

He made the first defence of his belt against Mateusz Masternak in December.

Now, Billam-Smith is seeking redemption.

"I'm different in so many ways," Billam-Smith said at Thursday's news conference.

"It's so irrelevant as I almost see me as a different person and almost see myself as if it was 20 years ago."

"All the experience I've had of world championship fights, caps and headlining the big shows – I will use all that experience and go there and perform."

OK Kal, that's fine, you keep an eye out for Madonna but don't get 'Hung Up' on that task. You've got a report to write too.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport journalist at Selhurst Park

I’m not one to get bogged down with – or even be remotely interested in – celebrity gossip, but here we go.

Richard Riakporhe has dismissed reports that he is dating Madonna. Yep, THE Madonna. He said they’re just friends. He also said she might be at rain-soaked Selhurst Park this evening if she can take time out of her tour.

I'll keep a lookout.

Retired world super-middleweight champion George Groves: "I think Billam-Smith wins via stoppage, between rounds nine to 12."

Cruiserweight Viddal Riley: "I predict Billiam-Smith to get the win via split decision.

"He will struggle early as both fighters will be cagey thus playing into Riakporhe’s hands, but once the fight gets heated, Billam-Smith should come into his own and get the win."

Middleweight Denzel Bentley: "It’s a good fight and I think both have improved massively since they first fought. Billam-Smith has grown in confidence since becoming a world champion and Riakporhe has become more relaxed and better with his punch placement. I think if Riakporhe doesn’t knock him out then I have Billam-Smith on points."

Former world cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie: "My first pick would be Billam-Smith on points but if Riakporhe can get to him early, I can see him winning inside four rounds."

Ever fancied mastering how to land an 'icy' right hand?

Well, you've come to the right place as Viddal Riley takes us through the process.

The British cruiserweight is on commentary duty tonight for Sky Sports and that means he's got great view of two potential future opponents - Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe.

Ben Whittaker loves the spotlight and so far it is loving him back.

What more can we expect from the prospect? Remember this was only his eighth fight as a pro!

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Boxxer

Image source, Getty Images

European lightweight champion Sam Noakes: "I think Billam-Smith will do enough to win this time. I know their last fight was close but that was a little while ago now and he’s got good momentum and boxed at a good level since."

Retired world lightweight champion and boxing coach Anthony Crolla: "It's a really tough one to call. It's a great fight and I don't see it going the distance like the first one. If Billam-Smith gets hit anywhere near as much he did in his last fight against Mateusz Masternak, I think it will be Riakporhe inside four rounds.

"But I think Billam-Smith will be a lot more defensive than he was last time. He might have to get up off the floor but I think he could grind out a late stoppage."

Former world super-welterweight champion Hannah Rankin: "Billam-Smith has had the harder fights in his career and I think has the better experience.

"I think Riakporhe will be dangerous in the early rounds but as long as there isn’t too much wear and tear from the fights Billam-Smith has been in, I think his experience will get him the win on Saturday night with a late-round stoppage.

Retired world title challenger Paul Smith: "I think Riakporhe stops Billam-Smith late on in the fight."

You've heard Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe's picks to build their ultimate fighter.

They chose from the categories of jab, heart, chin, IQ, engine, footwork, power and aura.

Now it's your turn.

Billam-Smith and Riakporhe both strayed away from the the boxing world with mentions of F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and footballers including Roy Keane and Adam Wharton.

You can go down that route if you want to draw on all of your sporting knowledge or feel free to stick within the boxing community.

Get your messages over to us via the usual channels, it's #bbcboxing on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111.

Ben Whittaker on Sky Sports after beating Ezra Arenyeka to become IBF international light-heavyweight champion: "I knew he was going to be tough. If you saw him at the weigh-in, press conference, he was a fighter. I boxed beautifully.

"If I stood here and said I wanted to knock him out, I'd be lying. I kept it clean, it turned into UFC a couple of times, he headbutted me and elbowed me but it's all an experience.

"I wanted the knockout. I'm just happy. My corner were happy, they said do what you want. I kept it clean and made him look silly."

Image source, _

We've had a vote running over the last couple of days on the BBC Sport website asking how you think tonight's main event will play out.

It has been a pretty close run race but Chris Billam-Smith currently leading the way with 51% of the vote.

Richard Riakporhe has 44% with 5% of those who cast their vote leaning towards a draw.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing reporter

Image source, BOXXER

Richard Riakporhe doesn't know the feeling of losing a fight.

The 34-year-old is unbeaten in 17 trips to the ring as a professional, winning 13 by stoppage, and he is just one win away from global boxing stardom.

His journey to this point has been full of adversity, though.

In 2005 Riakporhe was approached by a man outside a party and asked to hand over his phone. He refused and the assailant, without hesitation, stabbed the teenager in the chest.

He suffered internal bleeding and underwent emergency surgery. Doctors were to tell Riakporhe, who made a full recovery, he was lucky to be alive.

The Londoner has since gained a university degree in marketing, communications and advertising before carving out a hugely successful career in boxing.

“The people I’ve been around have lost their lives, lost everything they have, gone into deep depression or lost their freedom. So losing a fight means nothing,” Riakporhe told BBC Sport.

“A lot of people in and around my area didn’t have a solid education or got to college level education, so I decided I wanted to be a graduate, achieve a degree.

“The lifestyle I used to live just gave me the courage to go through whatever I wanted to do in life. It provided me with the philosophy in life to improve every single day and every single time."

Read more here.