The British fighter defends his WBO cruiserweight world title against his rival on Saturday (15.06.24) and won't be living up to his 'The Gentleman' nickname as he seeks revenge for his 2019 defeat to the same opponent.

Billam-Smith told Sky Sports: "Boxing is a sport where you can't be the person you need to be around your family.

"It's a very brutal sport, and the mindset you have to get in on sparring days - you don't really want your family to be around.

"When you're around loved ones, you release oxytocin, which isn't the hormone you need for boxing. You need a lot of adrenaline and testosterone.

"I'm quite good at turning that switch between being the boxing version of myself and the family version. It's almost like you're a character."

Billam-Smith will be in for a stern examination due to Riakporhe's ferocious power but his confident that he will be able to outlast his rival with his superior stamina.

He said: "[Riakporhe] is not a high work-rate fighter, and he won't want to be that against me because I'd just tire him out.

"It'll be interesting to see how he deals with my pace, which is always intense.

"I can just keep a really high work-rate, for a really long time.

"My engine, my fitness and my heart is all there, and a lot of cruiserweights can't live with that pace.

"Anyone in the world would struggle with that [pace], I believe."