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REPEAT OR REVENGE
All the action from a massive night of British boxing at the home of Crystal Palace
- Wally Downes Jr
- Mosope Ominiyi
CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH faces Richard Riakporhe TONIGHT in a massive stadium clash at Selhurst Park.
"The Gentleman" won the WBO cruiserweight title in the summer of 2023 when he beat former stablemate Lawrence Okolie at his beloved AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.
Now he's going into away territory as he defends his title against Crystal Palace fan Riakporhe, who beat him in 2019, at Selhurst Park - up and coming star Ben Whittaker is also on the undercard.
- Start time: Card underway at 7pm, main event expected at 10.30pm
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Arena
7 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Chamberlain vs Massey R1
Chamberlain feinting plenty in the early going, pounding body shots in the pocket as Massey - who holds a slight advantage in height and reach - keeps his distance.
You can see Isaac's waiting for the right moment to open up, briefly tagging Massey against the ropes with the right-hand. Cagey opening round but that's no surprise.
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11 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Euro gold up for grabs
Commonwealth champ Chamberlain has a smirk on his face, as if he knows something we all don't, as he strolls to the ring. The 30-year-old was originally set to box Michal Cieslak on this bill, before the Pole withdrew with an undisclosed injury and vacated the European title.
Massey wasn't shy in his assessment of a former sparring partner, saying Isaac was too small for 200lbs and should move down to light-heavy.
We're about to find out how well that comment ages.
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16 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Isaac Chamberlain up next...
Having vacated British honours at 200lbs, Isaac Chamberlain gets a shot at European gold against short-notice opponent and former sparring partner Jack Massey. Ringwalks coming shortly...
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17 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Back to the drawing board
Sep's two career defeats came against former WBO European champion Richards Bolotniks and a majority decision against Barcelona resident Omar Garcia, on enemy territory.
Azeez will be unhappy he couldn't produce a fantastic showing here and rebound from a damaging defeat last time out, but was far too hittable against a Croatian who grew in confidence as time wore on.
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24 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez-Sep ends in a draw!
You can hear scattered boos at the decision, 76-76 the final score on referee Bob Williams' scorecard.
Azeez looks bemused and goes over to the visitor's corner, they cordially exchange words but neither man can truly be very surprised.
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27 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R8
Final round! They almost take turns to unload their respective attacks, parked in centre ring as Azeez fires low then high.
Sep swings wildly on a hellacious combo with around 30 seconds left, almost kickstarting Azeez into gear again after a lull in the action.
At the final bell, Sep lifts his hand aloft while Azeez looks outside the ring, almost for confirmation about how he fared here...
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31 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R7
Azeez briefly pins Sep against the ropes and eats an uppercut flush on the chin for his troubles, as their constant battle for control persists.
The Zagreb resident will not stop throwing, Azeez now outworking his opponent but their frenetic pace has predictably started to slow.
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34 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R6
Another gruelling round banked, this bout has been fought at an exhausting pace and Sep having the better of their exchanges.
He landed a series of straights through the guard, though Azeez had the final say in a flurry before the bell. Buddy McGirt in his corner will be urging more intensity, as these final two rounds could decide it.
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37 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R5
I'd be interested to see how the judges ringside have this one scored, as Sky's TV broadcast shows their viewers' verdict through four... Azeez is trailing. Needs to be more defensively astute in the pocket!
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38 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R4
Azeez jabs his way nicely to a purposeful start in this stanza, though Sep isn't deterred and fires back just as much.
It's also easy to forget Azeez is boxing over eight rounds here, rather than the twelve-round distance he went against Joshua Buatsi in February.
Sep hasn't been scheduled for any more than eight in his seven-year professional career.
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41 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R3
Azeez refused to look past this assignment when asked about his future in the build-up, and it's easy to see why.
Sep is more than matching his workrate early on and he needs to create more separation - no pun intended - between them, if he wants to wrestle control in his favour right now.
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52 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R2
Sep lands a series of straight shots in the opening minute, as I can spot Chris Kongo taking his seat ringside.
They take turns digging to the body, just as soon as Sep looks to have the upper hand in these exchanges, Azeez walks forward and peppers him with a slick combination as uppercuts follow.
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56 minutes agoBy Wally Downes Jr
Azeez vs Sep R1
Azeez starts by digging to the body early, pinging Sep backwards with his jab too.
The Croatian across from him isn't afraid to exchange on the inside, and lands a nice right hand through the guard halfway through the round before Azeez responds with a sneaky uppercut.
This looks like we have another battle of attrition on the cards!
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Today, 14:28By Wally Downes Jr
Dan Azeez next...
Former British, EBU European and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez makes his in-ring return shortly, in an eight-round contest against 12-2 pro Hrvoje Sep. Ringwalks now.
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Today, 14:26By Wally Downes Jr
Touching tribute
Hennessy tells Sky's Andy Clarke post-fight that she lost her grandmother recently and pays tribute after a hard-fought win.
"I lost my best friend, my nan, and the lat few weeks have been really tough. I had to push through for her," she said.
Her head coach, Bradley Skeete, echoes those sentiments: "What she's been through the last few weeks, I don't know how she's done it, kept it so professional."
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Today, 14:21By Wally Downes Jr
Hen out of ten!
Fights like these are invaluable for Fran, if she's to reach the heights many expect of her.
Unafraid to trade up close, even when it wasn't a wise tactic to engage, exemplifies her refreshing attitude - but there's plenty to learn and review when the team assess fight footage here.
Hennessy makes a point of applauding Norek and they share a warm embrace post-fight.
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Today, 14:13By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy wins
The referee scores the eight-round bantamweight bout 77-75.
A great learning fight for the young Kent prospect.
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Today, 14:12By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R8
These ladies have worked so hard that the sun has even come to watch.
Both girls are swinging from the turnstiles and emptying the gas tank.
And the bell goes and the warring women hug.
Hennessy should be about to land a points win.
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Today, 14:09By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R7
Hennessy is marked up around her eyes and gets whacked with a right hand.
But, in he first real test, she has never taken a backward step.
Norek has done her best to knock the young Brit out and welcomed her to the real pro game perfectly.
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Today, 14:06By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R6
Hennessy's ringside dad Mick is yelling advice to his girl.
Norek is doing her best to batter her.
This is a great bout for Hennessy, she will have learned lots and gained industry respect after waaaaay to much early hype.
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Today, 14:02By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R5
These little bantams are banging.
Hennessy lands a vicious left hook but Norek likes it.
Tattooed Norek is sucking up the shots and trying to bully her way back in.
Hennessy is landing plenty but there's a clear lack of power at her age and experience level.
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Today, 14:00By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R4
Hennessy was the victim of a ridiculous Vasyl Lomachenko comparison recently but she wants to maker her own name and proper fights like this will help.
The young prospect has taken some digs and has a few bruises.
Norek is no push over, these broave ladies are trading punches in the rain.
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Today, 13:58By Wally Downes Jr
Hennessy vs Norek R3
Hennessy has brought a bit of glitz and glamour to this sodden South London evening.
It's bucketing down at Selhurst Park but she is raining blows down on Dorota Norek.
It's the usual points win coming but there's a a few decent punches thrown and landed in the first three rounds.
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Today, 13:57By Tom Sheen
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to a massive night of boxing at the home of Crystal Palace FC.
Selhurst Park will be packed to the rafters for one of the best fights we are likely to see this year.
Chris Billam-Smith is plotting "perfect revenge" against Richard Riakporhe - who beat him back in 2019.
The cruiserweight title is up for grabs in the main event - which we are expecting at 10.30pm.
The full card is:
- Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe - for WBO cruiserweight title
- Isaac Chamberlain vs Jack Massey - for European cruiserweight title
- Ben Whittaker vs Ezra Arenyeka
- Dan Azeez vs Hrvoje Sep
- Francesca Hennessy vs Dorota Norek
- Devorn Miller vs Edwin Mosquera
- Mitchell Frearson vs Marco Simmonds
- Lewie Pochetty vs Tobie Vermeire
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