Dillian Whyte recovered from a knockdown to beat Oscar Rivas at the O2 and become the mandatory challenger to Deontay Wilder’s WBC world title.
The Brit started brilliantly and almost knocked Rivas down in a thrilling second round. But the Colombian gamely battled back and sent Whyte to the canvas in the ninth.
However, Whyte held on to claim a unanimous decision. Relive all of the drama below:
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's heavyweight fight between Dillian Whyte and Oscar Rivas, brought to you from ringside at the O2 Arena in London.
The main event is expected to get underway around 10:30pm, but we'll bring you full updates from the undercard throughout the evening as we build towards what will hopefully be a blockbuster clash.
Lawrence Okolie currently in action against Mariano Angel Gudino.
'The Sauce' is controlling the fight and letting his power shots go.
The Argentine keeps dropping to the canvas, but none called as knockdowns in the fifth.
Okolie will be looking to get this one over with shortly...
Getting a bit scrappy this one, with Okolie unable to find the perfectly-timed shot to put away this tough Argentine.
And just as I say that, a heavy shot leaves Gudino on his knees, grimacing.
Okolie needs one more!
Meanwhile, Dave Allen's arrival brings a huge cheers from the O2 crowd.
Another knockdown, and Gudino looks to his corner.
Bellew ringside barking instructions to Okolie.
One more knockdown and the referee has seen enough. Okolie wins by stoppage!
Wondered what Eddie Hearn made of Okolie's stoppage victory?
WONDER NO MORE.
Okolie wants the Euro next, champion Yves Ngabu is a real test, a tough, tough fight.No one wants to fight Okolie, the improvements were good. The European fight is a 50/50 fight.
Amateur sensation Dalton Smith is next in the ring, for his second professional fight.
He's fighting Ibrar Riyaz, a man with a 6-165-4 professional record. He's probably still safely inside the IBO's top twenty, to be fair.
Wow, Riyaz has quit on his stool!
Fair enough, 'Smokin' Ibrar Riyaz has a professional record of 6-165-4 and took this fight on one day's notice, but he had only been stopped three times previously heading into this fight.
Smith will be very happy with his evening's work.
Here's what Dalton Smith made of that:
I'm very happy. I'd like to thank Eddie for this opportunity. I came out and showed my class, I couldn't afford not to. It's a big platform and I wanted to perform.
Do you care what Ibrar Riyaz has to say? Me neither, but here it is anyway:
He's very good. Next time give me a week! He's a brilliant boxer, picks his punches well, and with power. He's going to do well.
To be fair, Riyaz has just jumped at his moment in the spotlight, reeling off a list of emotional thank yous, including the kids that he teaches.
Snide remarks aside, that was a lovely moment. Well in, mate!
He likes his boxing and he loves his TV: here's the latest Boxing on TV column, from Martin Hines:
This should be a corker, as unbeaten cruiserweights Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith fight for the WBA Intercontinental title.
Both men head into this great domestic clash with identical records of 9-0-0.
Riakporhe is the narrow favourite with the bookies.
Round one
A very tight opening round with few clean shots landed.
Riakporhe looking to unload, as predicted, but Billam-Smith keeping things tight. A nightmare to score.
Round two
More of the same. Riakporhe looking to knock Billam-Smith out of the O2 and into the Thames - and being made to look very sloppy when he swings and misses. Billam-Smith the better boxer, but getting roughed up on the ropes a fair amount.
Another round to CBS, for me, but who knows how the judges are scoring this.
Round three
A good round for Billam-Smith, who is by far the busier fighter. Riakporhe does land a looping overhand right towards the end of the round, but Billam-Smith is unmoved. He fires back with a right uppercut which only narrowly misses its target.
Another round to CBS.
Round four
Better from Riakporhe. He lands a sweet overhand right and Billam-Smith briefly finds himself in trouble. He sensibly holds on and gets back to work behind that jab. But Riakporhe probably nicked that one.
Jack Rathborn has noticed Shane McGuigan shouting himself hoarse at ringside. “Head movement head movement, jab, good, side to side, back on that jab,” he's barking at Billam-Smith. He knows his man has made a slow start.
Round five
Wow! The pair tangle on the ropes and Billam-Smith almost inadvertently lifts Riakporhe over the ropes! He would have fallen right on top of a judge and handful of WBA officials. Fortunately he just about retained his balance and, after a quick telling-off from the referee, the pair are back boxing / clinching.
More tidy work from Billam-Smith. A nice shot to the body from Riakporhe. Another close round. I'd give it to CBS, and have him 4-1 up at this stage. Macklin has it level through four for Sky. So who knows!
Fancy a pic? You got it!
Round six
Both men are tiring and you get the feeling that we're not too far away from a big shot...
BOOM! There it is! A straight right hand from Riakporhe rocks Billam-Smith. Fortunately he was falling away from the punch which took some of the sting away. But that was the first truly big shot of the fight and wins Riakporhe the round.
What time does it start?
The action begins at 6pm BST, with the main event expected to start around 10:30pm.
Where can I watch it?
The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office and is available to purchase for £19.95. For viewers in the Republic of Ireland, the fight will cost €24.95.
Undercard
David Allen vs David Price (heavyweight)
Dereck Chisora vs Artur Szpilka (heavyweight)
Ricard Riakporhe vs Chris Billam-Smith (cruiserweight)
Lawrence Okolie vs Mariano Angel Gudino (cruiserweight)
Charlie Duffield vs Dan Azeez (light heavyweight)
Fabio Wardley vs Mariano Ruben Diaz Strunz (heavyweight)
Dalton Smith vs Reece Smith (super lightweight)
Alen Babic vs Morgan Dessaux (heavyweight)
