Richard Riakporhe will have his third contest at heavyweight when he challenges Jeamie TKV for the British title on Saturday.
Londoners Riakporhe and TKV clash on the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After losing his WBO cruiserweight title challenge to Chris Billam-Smith, Riakporhe moved up in weight. He has taken knockout wins over Kevin Nicolas Espindola and Tommy Welch and now is aiming to win his first piece of silverware in his new division.
Riakporhe wants to impose an awesome display of power 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 told 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 brand of inside fighting could be problematic for Riakporhe. But the challenger warned the champion: “You’re doing that against a puncher. Sometimes it just takes one bad position or one mistake. 12 rounds it’s a long time to do that for and be perfect 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 own. “I’m looking to dominate every aspect of the fight,” the champion told Sky Sports. “Whether it be mid-range, long-range or inside.
“I hurt people. People don’t realise but I do hurt a lot of people, even the ones I went the distance 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 wants to use a British title win to catapult himself into world title contention.
“Historically British heavyweight title fights have always been amazing. Big names that went on to do great things,” Riakporhe said.
“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 becoming vacant. “Don’t be surprised to see a lot of us mixing it up for the world titles in the near future,” Riakporhe said. “I’m happy to be a part of this.
“Once we do what we need to do on April 11 everyone’s going to be talking about me going against these other big names.”
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