Richard Riakporhe may have his third contest at heavyweight when he challenges Jeamie TKV for the British title on Saturday.
Londoners Riakporhe and TKV conflict on the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After shedding his WBO cruiserweight title problem to Chris Billam-Smith, Riakporhe moved up in weight. He has taken knockout wins over Kevin Nicolas Espindola and Tommy Welch and now’s aiming to win his first piece of silverware in his new division.
Riakporhe desires to impose an superior show of energy 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 advised Sky Sports.
TKV is the British heavyweight champion.
“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 model of inside combating might be problematic for Riakporhe. But the challenger warned the champion: “You’re doing that in opposition to a puncher. Sometimes it simply takes one dangerous place or one mistake. 12 rounds it is a very long time to do this for and be good 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 personal. “I’m looking to dominate every aspect of the fight,” the champion advised Sky Sports. “Whether it be mid-range, long-range or inside.
“I harm folks. People do not realise however I do harm a lot of individuals, even those I went the space 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.”
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Johnny Fisher on potential fights with Jeamie TKV or Frazer Clarke.
Riakporhe desires to use a British title win to catapult himself into world title competition.
“Historically British heavyweight title fights have always been amazing. Big names that went on to do great things,” Riakporhe mentioned.
“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 turning into vacant. “Don’t be surprised to see a lot of us mixing it up for the world titles in the near future,” Riakporhe mentioned. “I’m happy to be a part of this.
“Once we do what we’d like to do on April 11 everybody’s going to be talking about me going in opposition to these different massive names.”
