Latest news with #RichardRiakporhe
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Meet Richard Riakporhe - Career cruiserweight making heavyweight debut as late arrival to Canelo-Scull card
It will be a weekend of firsts for Richard Riakporhe this weekend when he takes on Kevin Nicolas Espindola in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Canelo-Scull. Not only will it be the Londoner's first bout outside of the United Kingdom, but it will also mark Riakporhe's debut at heavyweight. Having waited for some time to make his bow above the 200lb mark, Riakporhe's clash with the Argentinian Espindola is a late addition to the Riyadh card. Fans will recognise the names of Canelo Alvarez, William Scull, Martin Bakole, and Badou Jack – all in action on Saturday – but Riakporhe may be an unfamiliar face to many, despite a world title bid last year. Here we take a look at the man they call the 'Midnight Train'. Richard Riakporhe's undefeated record ended in bout for world title Although not a household name, Riakporhe has established himself as one of Britain's best cruiserweights, ranking highly in the conversation containing names such as Chris Billam-Smith, Lawrence Okolie, and Jack Massey. Born in London and raised in Southwark, Riakporhe took up boxing relatively late, first donning the gloves at 19. Alongside his amateur career, the Londoner continued his studies, going on to earn a degree in marketing from Kingston University in 2015. A year after completing his studies, Riakporhe entered the professional ranks, quickly building both momentum and an impressive record, boasting 13 knockouts. In June 2024, Riakporhe welcomed Billam-Smith to Selhurst Park, the home of his beloved Crystal Palace. Despite boasting home advantage, Riakporhe was the underdog against the reigning world champion. He had reason to be confident going into the bout,however; he was unbeaten in 17 fights entering the contest, including a split-decision win over Billam-Smith in 2019. However, Billam-Smith won a unanimous decision. From sparring with heavyweights to launching an assault on boxing's glamour division Richard Riakporhe has been working with Martin Bakole in the build-up to Saturday, with both fighters promoted by Ben Shalom's BOXXER. The 'Midnight Train' has previously trained with Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, and Chris Eubank Jr. Standing six foot five inches tall, combined with his powerful punches, Riakporhe long mused about stepping up to heavyweight. Shortly after his defeat to Chris Billam-Smith, Riakporhe set the wheels in motion to make that move. An opponent for his debut was quickly sought, with fellow former cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie lined up to welcome his London rival into the biggest division in boxing. A date in April was picked, with Riakporhe and Okolie set to face off on the undercard of Joe Joyce's clash with Dillian Whyte. However, just as Joyce's clash with Whyte failed to materialise, the bout between the cruisers-turned-heavies was nixed when Okolie suffered an injury in the build-up. Whilst Joyce was able to source a replacement in the form of Filip Hrgović, no substitute could be found for Riakporhe to face, leading the 35-year-old to bide his time. Shortly after that disappointment, Riakporhe stated that he would be making his bow above the 200-pound mark on the undercard of Eubank Jr – Benn. Although no fight was scheduled, Riakporhe has clearly kept himself ready to compete at a moment's notice – explaining why he was able to step in at the last minute to face Kevin Nicolas Espindola on Saturday night.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Richard Riakporhe labels Lawrence Okolie ‘a phony' after cancelled bout, talks on landscape of heavyweight division
Richard Riakporhe, 18-1 (14), has called out London rival Lawrence Okolie, 21-1 (16), once again, labelling the former cruiserweight and bridgerweight world champion 'a phony'. Despite never crossing paths as cruiserweights, Riakporhe was set to make his debut at heavyweight against Okolie in April, only for the latter to pull out due to injury. Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN Riakporhe went onto make his debut at heavyweight in May, comfortably dispatching Kevin Espindola, 9-10 (4), with a fourth-round stoppage on the undercard of Canelo-Scull out in Riyadh. But although the pair have exchanged verbal digs since 2023, with Okolie poking fun at Riakporhe's friendship with popstar Madonna, the 35-year-old is not interested in reigniting the cancelled bout. Asked by Sky Sports about Okolie, Riakporhe responded: 'Don't even mention that guy's name. That guy is supposed to be a two-time world champion, and he doesn't have the cajones to jump in the ring and get this fight done. He made up this story about an injury. To this day we haven't had (any) evidence of what happened. The guy is a phony. So now we're moving on, and focusing on bigger and better things.' Riakporhe certainly believes that those things are just around the corner, sharing how he feels that the heavyweight division will soon be shaken up by retirements. Asked if he felt that he was world-title calibre, Riakporhe replied: 'I think it all depends on what you see in the ring. The fans will be able to make their predictions and give their honest opinions. But me personally, in my mind? 100%, I want a world title at heavyweight. Right now, it's very interesting times. Everything is pretty much tied up with Usyk, but they're on the way out, let's be frank. Joshua, Tyson Fury, they're going to have a few more fights and pack it in.' Riakporhe believes that his move from cruiserweight to boxing's biggest division has come at the right time. He continued: 'Everything is going to be up for grabs, and I've come at the perfect time. I think everything happens for a reason, and I will benefit largely from this move.' After sharing his belief that the old guard of the heavyweight division would soon retire, Riakporhe was asked about the fresher faces in the weight class. Moses Itauma, 11-0 (9), who is in action this weekend on the Taylor-Essuman undercard, has earned many admirers who believe that he has the potential to dominate at heavyweight. 'Moses is young, he's coming up, he's doing really well at the moment, he's like a brother to me,' Riakporhe restarted. 'But I feel like all of us are going to be in them ranks, top five across the board. Anyone who is young, hungry, has got power, got some amazing genetics - which I thank my parents for - we're going to have some amazing fights." Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
