Richard Riakporhe wants ‘the best British showdown’ with WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie | Boxing News

Richard Riakporhe will support Lawrence Okolie in his world title fight this weekend, before looking for his own shot at the WBO cruiserweight title.

Okolie takes on undefeated challenger David Light this Saturday, live Sky Sportswith the championship on the line.

“I will support him,” Riakporhe said Sky Sports. “We need each other, actually we need each other.

“I hope he wins, in a good way. It’s better for all of us.”

Okolie is the desired opponent in the world title fight.

“I hope the British show is the best in the history of boxing. Maybe twice, maybe three times, who knows?” Riakporhe said.

“I think what will make it more special: I see Okolie as a winner, he likes to win, and I am also a winner. So, it will be a very interesting fight. People will want to see who comes out on top.

“We will be tested in different ways. People have never seen Okolie tested in a certain way. But they have seen me, so a lot of people have faith in me to do well. It will be interesting.”

There are several major fights to be had in the cruiserweight division. “It can be a lot of fun,” Riakporhe promised.

“This year will change.

“I have to be the one to light up the division by calling people out, by name. I want to fight everyone.

“We’re going to keep that energy going.”

In the last match Riakporhe beat Krzysztof Glowacki, the man Okolie beat in 2021 to win the world title.

Riakporhe believes Glowacki is more than ready for him. “They have some strategies,” Riakporhe said. “He tried to throw me off the gameplan and he didn’t do the same with Okolie.

“He’ll keep going, a calm face and when I know this guy he means business.

“He tried to push me and go forward and control the center. So it’s a real fight. And I’m sure it will be harder than when he fought Okolie because he has that training.”

Riakporhe believes he is ready to challenge for the next world title. “I believe in my abilities and know what I want and that gives me more confidence,” he said.

“I think I’ve gotten an education, apprenticed in the ring, boxed an undefeated fighter, fought different styles, climbed to the world level, now I’m a world champion. I’ve done it all.

“Although I don’t have a lot of experience. But I think it’s enough if I can win the world title. Then I can develop further after I defend and hopefully we can unite.”

He also had a warning for Okolie. “My fights are easier now,” said Riakporhe.

“Someone told me that the better I got, the easier my fights would be because I would just knock people out and the fights wouldn’t go past mid-round.

“I’ve reached that point now. It’s because I use my attributes. I use what I’ve been gifted with and obviously develop other skills. So when I find an opportunity, I can burst it.

“I’ve learned how to knock people out. I just know what to do now, I know exactly what to do, what to do, what to do, when to land and that’s why I’m more confident.

“It’s not about power punching really. People think it’s about power but the accuracy of punches and it’s about where you land as well,” he continued.

“It’s not easy to break the jaw, or the eye socket, or the orbital bone. You have to cut in the right place.”

He added: “If you make a mistake, you will pay. You will pay big. Especially with someone like me, with my punching power, you will pay big. Now I am confident, I know what I am doing and I am ready to excel at a high level.

“People will be able to see my skills. Because the truth is you haven’t. No one will see my skills, what I want, because I never use them.”

But Riakporhe is ready to wait for the opportunity, believing that he will take it.

“I’m a very patient person. You can say it in a square way. I take my time with things. If something doesn’t happen, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I just use that time to focus. more, perfecting my skills and improving as a fighter ,” he said.

“I feel what’s coming, I feel it’s my destiny to be a world champion, a unified world champion, so it’s just time and the clock keeps ticking. and improving our skills.

“It will happen, sooner or later.”

Watch Lawrence Okolie vs David Light live on Sky Sports this Saturday