Intriguing Bout Added to Richard Riakporhe vs. Chris Billam-Smith Undercard

The next opponent for rising light heavyweight star Ben Whittaker (7-0, 5 KOs) has been confirmed as Ezra Arenyeka (12-0, 10 KOs). The two undefeated fighters will collide on the Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe undercard at Selhurst Park on June 15 live on Sky Sports. The Nigerian-born fighter previously gatecrashed a Whittaker press conference and has told Sky Sports his opponent “acts like a kid in the ring” with his showboating.”

Ben Whittaker Next Fight Added to Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe Undercard

Ben Whittaker vs. Ezra Arenyeka

This fight has materialised on the back of Arenyeka gatecrashing Whittaker’s press conference ahead of his unanimous decision win over Leon Willings at London’s O2 Arena in March. The 28-year-old Nigerian fighter has now got his wish and will face the 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medallist.

Arenyeka spoke to Sky Sports about showboating: “Every good boxer with rhythm can showboat… in my amateur days I used to showboat a lot, but I stopped for a reason, because I’ve grown as a fighter.” 

Attacking Whittaker and his performance against Willings, “The African King” said: “Obviously he is still acting like a little diva, like a little kid in the ring, so he is not grown yet.”

He continued: “If he tries to do that with me, I will show him the level and make him look silly. That’s just the honest truth… he is going to get caught with my strong right and I’ll knock him out.”

Rest of the Card

Aside from the main event with Riakporhe taking on Billam-Smith, Isaac Chamberlain is taking on Michal Cieslak for the European cruiserweight championship. Another fighter on the undercard has been announced, with nineteen-year-old bantamweight rising star Francesca Hennessy set for action as she looks to continue her ascent towards a seemingly inevitable title shot.