Richard Riakporhe wants ‘British best match’ against WBO class cruiser champion Lawrence Okolie | boxing news
Richard Riakporhe will assist Lawrence Okolie in his later world title fight this weekend, before finding his own shot against the WBO cruiser class champion.
Okolie fights undefeated challenger David Light this Saturday, live Sports skywith his championship on the line.
“I will support him,” said Riakporhe Sports sky. “We need each other. We really need each other.
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Richard Riakporhe says he’s better in every area than WBC champion Badou Jack and also discusses British rivals Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith.
“I hope he wins, in good form. That’s better for all of us.”
Okolie is the opponent he wants in a world title match.
“This is probably the best British fight in boxing history. Did it twice, maybe even three times, who knows?” Riakporhe said.
“I think what will make the match more special: I consider Okolie a winner, he likes to win and I’m a winner too. So that makes the match very interesting. Everyone will want to see who will come out on top.
“We’re going to be tested in different ways. People haven’t really seen Okolie tested in certain ways. But they’ve seen me, which is why a lot of people trust me to do.” well. That’s going to be very interesting.”
There are many great battles waiting to take place in the cruiser class. “It can be really fun,” promised Riakporhe.
“Everything will change this year. I will burn it. I will certainly burn it.
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Richard Riakporhe and Lawrence Okolie discuss a very likely cruiser world title clash, with the pair hoping the match will take place this year.
“I have to be the one to light up divisions by calling people’s names. I want to fight each and every one of them.
“We’re going to keep that energy.”
In his final match, Riakporhe knocked out Krzysztof Glowacki, whom Okolie defeated in 2021 to win the world championship.
Riakporhe believes that Glowacki was better prepared for him. “They had some strategy,” said Riakporhe. “He tried to throw me out of my game plan and he didn’t do the same things he did to Okolie.
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“He was going to keep moving forward, his face calm and that’s when I knew this guy had business intentions.
“He’s trying to push me back and move forward and control the center. So it’s a real battle. And I believe it’s going to be a bit more complicated than when he was against Okolie. because he has such experience.”
Riakporhe is sure he is ready to challenge for the next world title. “I believe in my abilities and I understand what I own and that makes me even more confident,” he said.
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Richard Riakporhe defeated Krzysztof Glowacki impressively and is fast aiming for world title fights in the near future.
“I think I’ve been educated, apprenticed, so to speak, in the ring, undefeated boxing, fighting different styles, stepping up to the world level, now a former champion. world I did it all.
“Although I don’t have too much experience yet. But I think it’s definitely enough to win the world championship. Then I can develop further after defending it and hopefully unify.”
He also has a warning for Okolie. Riakporhe said: “My battles are easier now.
Riakporhe believes he is ready for the world title whenever it comes.
“Someone told me that the better I get, the easier my battles will become because I’m going to take people down and those fights won’t last until mid-round.
“I think it’s reached that point now. It’s because I’m using my attributes. I’m using what I’m gifted with and obviously developing more skills. So, When I find opportunities, I can exploit them.
“I’ve been studying how to take people down. I just know what to do now, I know exactly what to do, which hits to land, when to take them down and that’s why I’m here today. more confident.
Riakporhe is confident that she can knock anyone out.
“It’s not really about the power of the punch. People think it’s about the power but it’s the accuracy of the punches and that’s also where you land,” he continued.
“It’s not easy to break someone’s jaw, eye socket or orbital bone. You have to punch in the right place.”
He added: “If you make a mistake, you will pay. You will pay a heavy price. Especially for someone like me, with my punching power, you will pay a heavy price. Now I’m confident now, I know what I’m doing and I’m ready to excel at a high level.
“Everybody will see my skills. Because the truth is you’ve never seen them. No one sees my skills, what I’m really, really capable of, because I’ve never needed to use them. “
Richard Riakporhe celebrates his win over Chris Billam-Smith (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
However, Riakporhe was willing to wait for his chance, confident that he would definitely take it when it came.
“I’m a very patient person. You can tell by the way I box. I make time for everything. If something doesn’t happen, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I just use it. use that time to focus on other things, perfect my skills and improve as a fighter,” he said.
“I feel like what’s coming to me will come to me. I feel like my destiny is to be a world champion, a unified world champion, so it’s just a matter of time and money. The lake is ticking.Meanwhile, we are working and improving our skills.
“Sooner or later something will happen.”
Watch Lawrence Okolie vs David Light live on Sky Sports this Saturday
