Richard Riakporhe says he has only just started and insists he will expose his rivals after winning the WBC Silver cruiserweight title.
Riakporhe (13-0, 9 KOs) dominated the opening four rounds before knocking down and stopping former world title challenger, Olanrewaju Durodola in the fifth round at the SSE Arena on Saturday.
The 31-year-old secured his second victory in seven weeks, after ending a 22-month lay-off last month to beat Krzysztof Twardowski and believes his game is just beginning to take shape under trainer Angel Fernandez.
“We’ve just only started, trust me,” Riakporhe told proboxing-fans.com post-fight.
“Angel, he knows and he has full faith in me. Since we linked up we’ve just been working and we understand the market.
“We’ve got punching power, we needed a bit of boxing IQ, we were lacking that.
“Big shout out to [my former trainer] Mark Tibbs, he taught me the basics and it got me through.
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“When I moved up to Loughborough it was a perfect match, because Angel was there and we thought you know what we can work together and we can do this and I know with consistency on both sides and dedication there’s no limits.
“It’s been going so well so far.”
WOW!@R_Riakporhe stops Durodola in the fifth! 👊#FightNightLondon 2 | TONIGHT | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/G30lJ8EEdV
— BOXXER (@boxxer) November 20, 2021
Victory for the Londoner has taken him a step closer to a world title opportunity and strengthened his position within the WBC where he is the tenth ranked contender behind world champion, Ilunga Makabu, who is set to face Canelo Alvarez after the WBC approved the Mexican’s request to attempt to conquer a fifth division at their convention earlier this week.
Riakporhe has already beaten four domestic rivals including Chris Billam-Smith and Tommy McCarthy and had a spell as British cruiserweight champion, before vacating the crown, which is now owned by Billam-Smith.
And Riakporhe is confident that he has the tools to tackle any of his rivals.
“I’m a real fighter and I want to test myself against everybody.
“I actually really think I’m the best and I’m willing to prove it, like I say all the time.
“These guys are lacking in different things and I’ll be the one to expose that.”
Watch the full interview with Richard Riakporhe below reacting to his win:
