Boxing Apr 09, 2026

Richard Riakporhe vows to be 'terrifying' force in heavyweight division | 'The naysayers are going to be talking a lot'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Richard Riakporhe vows to be 'terrifying' force in heavyweight division | 'The naysayers are going to be talking a lot'

Richard Riakporhe will have his third contest at heavyweight when he challenges Jeamie TKV for the British title on Saturday.

Londoners Riakporhe and TKV clash on the undercard of the .

After losing his WBO cruiserweight title challenge to Chris Billam-Smith, Riakporhe moved up in weight. He has taken knockout wins over Kevin Nicolas Espindola and Tommy Welch and now is aiming to win his first piece of silverware in his new division.

Riakporhe wants to impose an awesome display of power on TKV.

"People just don't know yet - I am a serious player in the heavyweight division and if you don't think I am then you're a fool," Riakporhe told Your Site.

"But they're going to see and they're going to know and the naysayers they're going to be talking a lot, they're going to be promoting and pushing my name out there: 'Look be careful of the "Midnight Train" because that guy is terrifying.'"

TKV's brand of inside fighting could be problematic for Riakporhe. But the challenger warned the champion: "You're doing that against a puncher. Sometimes it just takes one bad position or one mistake. 12 rounds it's a long time to do that for and be perfect at.

"I feel like people haven't seen me properly in my element and I haven't had my day yet. But it's going to come, it's coming soon."

TKV had a warning of his own. "I'm looking to dominate every aspect of the fight," the champion told Your Site. "Whether it be mid-range, long-range or inside.

"I hurt people. People don't realise but I do hurt a lot of people, even the ones I went the distance with.

"It's exciting to see what's next but my main focus is Saturday," he added. "The main thing is about retaining that British heavyweight title."

Riakporhe wants to use a British title win to catapult himself into world title contention.

"Historically British heavyweight title fights have always been amazing. Big names that went on to do great things," Riakporhe said.

"There's so much opportunity right now especially analysing the landscape with all the fighters at the top coming to the end of their careers."

He anticipates world championships becoming vacant. "Don't be surprised to see a lot of us mixing it up for the world titles in the near future," Riakporhe said. "I'm happy to be a part of this.

"Once we do what we need to do on April 11 everyone's going to be talking about me going against these other big names."

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Claressa Shields: Caroline Dubois can put people’s lights out - I haven’t become calm enough to do that yet

Claressa Shields: Caroline Dubois can put people’s lights out - I haven’t become calm enough to do that yet

Claressa Shields believes Caroline Dubois can follow in her footsteps and become a multi-weight world champion.American superstar Shields, a two-time...

Conor Benn unfazed by outside noise over Zuffa switch as Regis Prograis dismisses injury speculation

Conor Benn unfazed by outside noise over Zuffa switch as Regis Prograis dismisses injury speculation

Conor Benn and Regis Prograis will try to knock each other out on Saturday. For now, they remain on mutual noise-blocking ground. Benn's new deal with...

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

Dubois vs Harper, Scotney vs Flores: Fight updates, results, undercard and highlights from women's boxing bill

'Fullkrug looks set for Hammers return'Niclas Fullkrug looks set to return to West Ham with AC Milan unwilling to make his loan permanent, according t...

Anthony Joshua makes first public appearance since close friends' deaths as he attends Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight in London

Anthony Joshua makes first public appearance since close friends' deaths as he attends Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight in London

Anthony Joshua made his first public appearance since the deaths of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele as he arrived at O2 Arena to sup...

Tyson Fury: My father wanted me to retire six years ago after second Deontay Wilder fight. But for me it's everything

Tyson Fury: My father wanted me to retire six years ago after second Deontay Wilder fight. But for me it's everything

Criticism from his own father will not distract Tyson Fury ahead of his fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov.Fury returns to boxing on Saturday after bringi...

Regis Prograis warns Conor Benn 'gamble' will backfire: 'They definitely did set it on his terms but I know I can win'

Regis Prograis warns Conor Benn 'gamble' will backfire: 'They definitely did set it on his terms but I know I can win'

Regis Prograis has warned that Conor Benn’s “gamble” will backfire when they fight this weekend.Benn returns to , the site of his middleweight victori...