Unbeaten Richard Riakporhe hunting all the cruiserweight world champions after stopping Glowacki
Richard ‘Midnight Train’ Riakporhe has fired out a warning to all of the top cruiserweight fighters after racking up his 16th straight professional win.
The Walworth puncher, 33, stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in the fourth round at Manchester Arena.
It was Riakporhe’s 12th inside-the-distance win.
Glowacki (32-4) did not go down but was shipping heavy punishment in the corner and not firing back when referee Howard Foster stepped in.
Riakporhe is highly ranked by all the major governing bodies and is determined to land a world title shot in 2023.
Asked what he wanted next, the South Londoner told Sky Sports: “We’re on the train. The next stop – all the champions. Jai Opetaia, I know you’re watching this. Trust me, we’re coming for you. [Ilunga Junior] Makabu, you lot can’t run no more. [Lawrence] Okolie…[Arsen] Goulamirian – I know all of you lot and I think about you every day when I go to sleep.
“Trust me, we’re coming for you.
“I’m happy – we got the job done and we wanted a knockout victory. I predicted round three or round four, so there are some people who put bets on because I told them in the gym last week. They are going to be happy.”
WBO world champion Okolie knocked out Glowacki in the sixth round in 2021.
Riakporhe said: “Styles make fights. I never use Okolie as a reference – that I need to get him [Glowacki] out before him – because everyone has their different styles and everyone has to focus on what they are doing.
“When you try to compare, that’s when things can go pear-shaped.”
BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom said: “ He’s ready now [for a world title shot]. His power, in both hands, is ridiculous.
“It was a mature performance. He wants everyone. I really believe we have the hardest-hitting cruiserweight in the country. There are world titles [out there] – Lawrence Okolie and there’s Chris Billam-Smith [European and Commonwealth champion]. What a division we have. Richard Riakporhe, for me, could be top of the tree.”
PICTURES: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER
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