Jack Massey Ready To Rival Winner Of Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe

Jack Massey has waited years for one of his British rivals to take the bait and fight him but the 31 year old finally finds himself right in the thick of the cruiserweight action this week.

Massey, 21-2 (12 KOs), takes on Isaac Chamberlain for the vacant European title on the undercard of the WBO cruiserweight title fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Having waited so long for his chance, Massey wouldn’t be human if he didn’t survey the scene he is part of and allow himself to imagine what could happen in the non-too distant future should he get past Chamberlain.

“Get this fight done, win the European title and I’ll be right in the mix for the winner of those two,” Massey told BoxingScene. “It’s a perfect opportunity. Get this fight done in convincing style, get the belt and then we can maybe have a little jump in the ring after their fight.”

Massey apart, Britain’s best cruiserweights have long been engaged in an unofficial round robin tournament.

In the summer of 2019, Riakporhe beat Billam-Smith. Massey’s sole engagement in the series came five months later when he also lost a competitive decision to the Londoner, and he believes Riakporhe will repeat the trick this weekend and take BIllam-Smith’s WBO title.

Massey’s belief has been bolstered by the time he spent sparring with Mateusz Masternak ahead of the Polish fighter’s unsuccessful bid for Billam-Smith’s title last December, rather than any improvement he has noticed in Riakporhe.

“It’s a tricky one, only because of Billam-Smith’s last fight with Masternak,” he said. “To be perfectly honest with you I wasn’t in shape. I wasn’t that fit but I was sparring him and I thought, ‘Billam-Smith’s got a right touch here’ but I think he [Masternak] was beating him until that body shot and he bust his rib. I think he’d lost pretty much every round.”

“I’m intrigued to see what happens but I’m edging a little bit towards Riakporhe. I’d like either one. Make the wrongs right with Riakporhe and I’ve always fancied the fight with Billam-Smith since he started making a noise on the scene.”