Richard Riakporhe has impressed since his move up to heavyweight.
Promoter of Richard Riakporhe (20-1, 16ko’s) Ben Shalom has said on numerous occasions that he ‘can’t believe Riakporhe made cruiserweight’.
The South Londoner looks the part up at heavyweight.
At 235lbs, Riakpohre looks like a complete different fighter compared to his time at cruiserweight.
That’s not to discredit The ‘Midnight train’s’ run at 200lbs, who challenged for the WBO world title.
He now holds the British title up at heavyweight, after making easy work of Jeamie TKV (9-3, 5ko’s) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
At 36 years old, the time is now for Riakporhe, and there are plenty of fights out there in the blue ribbon division.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Riakporhe has discussed his time so far at heavyweight, and what the future looks like.
Riakporhe stated: “They want to see knockouts. Let’s be real. Let’s be honest”.
“They want to see exciting knockouts, powerful punches being thrown, where you want to come and take your time, spend your money to visit a stadium and see a real fighter throw shots and is game”.
“I think that’s what makes me more exciting as an addition to the heavyweight division,”.
“You can see in my aura and just in my body language”.
“I’m very serious about doing real damage in this division.”
“I want a title fight,”.
“I’m really interested to see who wins with Daniel Dubois and [WBO champion Fabio] Wardley”.
“Everybody’s waiting to see what’s going on with [Oleksandr] Usyk. I want one of them titles”.
“I feel like now there’s a new crop of fighters coming through and we’re just waiting for our chance.
“It’s risky for them well established guys to fight us”.
“We’re dangerous, we’re hungry, anything can happen. I don’t think it’s smart”.
“So give up the belts so we can fight!”
Whilst there is no direct path for a world title right now, the heavyweight division comes with lucrative pay checks.
Turki Al-Sheikh and SELA have had a focus on the heavyweight division since their entrance to the sport.
After his impressive showing in North London, Riakporhe will be looking to a land a spot on more Ring Magazine events.
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