BoxRec

Richard Riakporhe: British cruiserweight star agrees contract extension with BOXXER and Sky Sports

Richard Riakporhe signs a long-term extension with BOXXER and Sky Sports as he closes in on a world cruiserweight title opportunity.

Richard Riakporhe is signing a long-term contract extension committing his future to BOXXER and Sky Sports.

Riakporhe is on the cusp of a world title opportunity having emerged as one of the cruiserweight division's most dangerous contenders.

The 33-year-old boasts a perfect professional record of 16-0 with 12 wins coming by way of knockout, including his fourth-round stoppage of Krzysztof Głowacki in Manchester earlier this year.

"I want all the champions, I called them out in my last fight, I'll call them out again: (Lawrence) Okolie, (Arsen) Goulamirian, (Jai) Opetaia , I mean business this year, I'm going for gold," Riakporhe told Sky Sports.

BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom insists there was "never any doubt" about continuing to move forward with Riakporhe amid his pursuit of a world title.

"It's been a special journey," Shalom said on Sky Sports. "When we first signed Richard he had been out the ring 18 months/two years, his first fight was an eight-rounder and then it's been four back-to-back knockouts.

"It's been frightening, explosive, it shows what activity can do to a fighter and now he's one of the most feared cruiserweights in the country, with ambitions to move up to heavyweight as well.

"This is the year for him to win a world title. I'm very very proud of where he's come. Now where he is in the cruiserweight, which I would say is the most feared non-champion cruiserweight."

More to follow...

Press Release

Richard Riakporhe has signed a new contract extension with BOXXER and Sky Sports - and has now set his sights on becoming a world champion.

Ranked at number 2 by the WBO and IBF, whilst rated at number 4 by the WBC, London fighter Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) is hoping huge fights on the horizon.

‘The Midnight Train’ will have a close eye on the upcoming Bank Holiday boxing bonanza in Bournemouth when his arch-rival Lawrence Okolie defends the WBO title against hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith in front of a sold-out Vitality Stadium on May 27.

But the 33-year-old harbors high hopes and ambitions of having his own hand raised in victory and his shoulders draped in championship gold.

Riakporhe said to BOXXER.com: “I was the first to sign with BOXXER after they signed their deal with Sky Sports and my journey so far has been excellent.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing my journey at BOXXER and capturing world honors in the very near future. So keep your eyes on the one and only ‘Midnight Train’”.

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said he was ‘thrilled’ to cement the immediate future of one the brand’s leading fighters - and is determined to ensure Riakporhe realizes his world title dreams under his leadership.

Shalom said: “‘Richard Riakporhe was one of our first signings at BOXXER, so we’re delighted to announce an extension with him for the business end of his career.

“The cruiserweight division in British boxing and around the world is flying and Richard is in the thick of it all. His progression over the past 18 months has been frightening and he is ready to win a world title.”

In January, Riakporhe destroyed former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki inside four rounds.

Riakporhe started late in boxing when he discovered the sport at 19-years-old - just four years after he survived a terrible incident when he was cruelly stabbed in the chest outside a house party at 15, requiring emergency surgery to drain his lungs of blood.

Remarkably Riakporhe recovered and has never looked back since in a magnificent career both inside and outside of the ring.rts giants adidas.

Since turning pro in 2016, Riakporhe has victories over the likes of Chris Billam-Smith, Tommy McCarthy and Jack Massey.

Riakporhe has pulled out of today’s purse bid for his mandatory shot against Jai Opetaia.

Trying to blame team Opetaia but it makes zero sense to me pulling out on the day of the purse bid.

They could just win it and be in control or the other team won’t be in a position to mess around.

Seems like Shalom doesn’t like a purse bid…

Very odd behaviour from Boxxer. Raises a lot of questions.

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:32 Very odd behaviour from Boxxer. Raises a lot of questions.

You wonder what they’re telling Riakporhe.

Even if Eddie/the other promoter are giving offers and then rescinding them then surely the answer to dealing with it is purse bids? Win it and they get to set the agenda. Lose it and it’s very clear what has to follow and how much he’ll receive.

They could at least see how much is in the pot before withdrawing.

Winds me up.

Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:49 Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

Yup. Similar thing for Clarke’s fight Wardley.

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:49 Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

In the lead up to a purse bid where Matchroom had the champion.

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 09:11

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:49 Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

Yup. Similar thing for Clarke’s fight Wardley.

Why wait until the 11th hour, any reason??

jameswilson wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 09:12

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:49 Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

In the lead up to a purse bid where Matchroom had the champion.

Time wasters

Probably been promised the CBS - Hugger winner and didn't want to risk him losing against Opetaia

U.K.

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 09:50

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 09:11

handsofstone wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 08:49 Boxxer done this before as well am I right?

Yup. Similar thing for Clarke’s fight Wardley.

Why wait until the 11th hour, any reason??

The only way it makes sense in my mind is if they think the champion may vacate. Saying that there’s no chance either Wardley or Opetaia would have vacated.

Glass Joe wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 13:21 Probably been promised the CBS - Hugger winner and didn't want to risk him losing against Opetaia

and that could happen for sure as opetaia is some CW

boxxxer novice sh!tshow again

Hearn lost plenty of purse bids and had guys challenge on away shows when he was on the way up. Barker and Brook very notably.

Boxxer if they can't win these bids can't be denying their fighters these opportunities. Surely Riakporh has missed out on a sh1t load of money here?

Ben Shalom is making himself look like a complete dumkopf.

jameswilson wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 14:41 Hearn lost plenty of purse bids and had guys challenge on away shows when he was on the way up. Barker and Brook very notably.

Boxxer if they can't win these bids can't be denying their fighters these opportunities. Surely Riakporh has missed out on a sh1t load of money here?

Hearn said was gonna bid serious money whatever that means

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 16:52

jameswilson wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 14:41 Hearn lost plenty of purse bids and had guys challenge on away shows when he was on the way up. Barker and Brook very notably.

Boxxer if they can't win these bids can't be denying their fighters these opportunities. Surely Riakporh has missed out on a sh1t load of money here?

Hearn said was gonna bid serious money whatever that means

So why not wait until the bid happens and if it’s loads of money then accept it? Or his own team might win?

Or if Boxxer don’t win and he’s not happy with the winning bid then don’t accept it. Makes no sense to pull out how they have.

Boxers are turning into right crybas arent they. All these statements they put up on twitter are pathetic, benn , whyte and this guy. Poor me

I think they are doing Riakpore v the WBA Champion next

Manchester Hitman wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 20:47 I think they are doing Riakpore v the WBA Champion next

Riakporhe isn’t in the WBA top 15 so will have to be moved in to there first.

Boxxer have made a right mess of this and they have dicked Opetaia around too. Masternak was mandatory and seemingly was asked to step aside to fight CBS instead so Riakporhe could fight Opetaia instead. Now Riakporhe has pulled out of purse bids.

So seemingly both Masternak and Riakporhe have been talked out of world title fights.

It would make sense for them to try and go the WBA route but perhaps that will be easier said than done.

Manchester Hitman wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 20:47 I think they are doing Riakpore v the WBA Champion next

makes sense as he is 35 and relatively unknown so should be enticed with decent money to the UK to be dethroned .

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2023, 02:11
Riakporhe isn’t in the WBA top 15 so will have to be moved in to there first.

Boxxer have made a right mess of this and they have dicked Opetaia around too. Masternak was mandatory and seemingly was asked to step aside to fight CBS instead so Riakporhe could fight Opetaia instead. Now Riakporhe has pulled out of purse bids.

So seemingly both Masternak and Riakporhe have been talked out of world title fights.

It would make sense for them to try and go the WBA route but perhaps that will be easier said than done.

From what Hearn was saying, Boxxer objected to a permit being issued for Opetaia to have a fight after the Masternak pull out because Riakporhe would 100% take the mandatory shot he had inherited.

Boxxer are a joke.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2023, 02:11
Riakporhe isn’t in the WBA top 15 so will have to be moved in to there first.

Boxxer have made a right mess of this and they have dicked Opetaia around too. Masternak was mandatory and seemingly was asked to step aside to fight CBS instead so Riakporhe could fight Opetaia instead. Now Riakporhe has pulled out of purse bids.

So seemingly both Masternak and Riakporhe have been talked out of world title fights.

It would make sense for them to try and go the WBA route but perhaps that will be easier said than done.

From what Hearn was saying, Boxxer objected to a permit being issued for Opetaia to have a fight after the Masternak pull out because Riakporhe would 100% take the mandatory shot he had inherited.

Boxxer are a joke and Shalom yet again showing how useless he is.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2023, 02:11

Manchester Hitman wrote: ↑08 Aug 2023, 20:47 I think they are doing Riakpore v the WBA Champion next

Riakporhe isn’t in the WBA top 15 so will have to be moved in to there first.

Boxxer have made a right mess of this and they have dicked Opetaia around too. Masternak was mandatory and seemingly was asked to step aside to fight CBS instead so Riakporhe could fight Opetaia instead. Now Riakporhe has pulled out of purse bids.

So seemingly both Masternak and Riakporhe have been talked out of world title fights.

It would make sense for them to try and go the WBA route but perhaps that will be easier said than done.

We know the WBA are more than happy to insert fighters in to position if it’s beneficial to them. Boxxer have also worked with the Champions promoter and I think that fight has already been discussed.

Either way, Shalom needs to deliver on a big fight next or a very solid plan for Richard.