South London cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe hoping 02 outing is a precursor to fighting Lawrence Okolie

By Richard Cawley

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Richard Riakporhe reckons his inclusion on Saturday’s big boxing bill at Greenwich’s 02 Arena is to build up a domestic clash with Lawrence Okolie.

The unbeaten Walworth-raised cruiserweight, now living in Dulwich, faces Adam Williams on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s WBC silver heavyweight title defence against Lucas Browne.

And Riakporhe (5-0) has former Olympian Okolie in his sights.

Okolie won a wide unanimous points decision over Brixton’s Isaac Chamberlain at the same venue in February to claim the vacant WBA continental belt.

“That fight was supposed to happen in December, it was all agreed but then Lawrence Okolie and his team pulled out just a few days after it was made,” said Riakporhe, 28.

“I didn’t get told why, but I believe I was too much of a risk to take. It would’ve messed up the opportunity to make money from the Chamberlain-Okolie fight.”

Okolie used his size to manhandle Chamberlain but Riakporhe (5-0) is 6ft 5ins-tall – easily the frame to make heavyweight. He has sparred Brixton’s Whyte in the build-up to this weekend.

“Isaac is my good friend,” he said. “He had a lot going on mentally for that last fight. Physically he was ready to do the job but I don’t know what was going on in his mind. You have to give credit to Lawrence – he did what he needed to do. It wasn’t amazing, there wasn’t a lot of skill or boxing.

“I am massive at cruiserweight. Myself and Lawrence are the same size, a lot of people say we’re almost identical in shape.

“He wouldn’t have that size advantage – and I’m strong. I really doubt he is going to have any physical advantage over me.

“I could move up to heavyweight in the future. I’ve probably sparred at least 10 rounds every week with Dillian in this camp.

“I’m holding myself well. I’m weighing 14st 4lbs and can mix it with guys who are heavier.

“It’s not really about the weight, it’s about punch resistance, having strength in your legs to take the physical pressure of a heavyweight when they lean on you and being able to bang. I can definitely punch.”

Riakporhe is on a run of four straight stoppage victories, only going the distance on his debut against Jason Jones.

“That first one was just down to a lack of experience,” he said. “I put him down in the first minute and I just had to be patient. But I tried too hard to get him out of there, I wanted to impress the crowd, and it didn’t come.

“Every time I was throwing a punch I was tensing up – giving him signs that I was going to throw. I have learned from that. All I need to do is box, and those power punches then come naturally. Since then I have had three first-round wins and the other in the second.”

Riakporhe boxed for Camberwell club Lynn as an amateur and won the Haringey Cup in 2011 but took a break from the sport to graduate with a marketing and advertising degree before opting to punch for pay.

“This is full-time for me,” he said. “Boxing is such a dangerous sport and I don’t believe it is wise to not dedicate all your time unless you are fighting really non-threatening opponents, because it is a life or death thing.”

So how does Riakporhe see the main event going?

“Dillian is very dangerous with his counters. Lucas Browne has to be very careful of that. I see Dillian winning this but I just don’t know if it is going to be a knockout or he is going to take it on points.

“I’m leaning towards Dillian by TKO.”