Lawrence Okolie vs. Richard Riakporhe | DAZN - April 5, 2025 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dillian Whyte-Joe Joyce, Lawrence Okolie-Richard Riakporhe rumored for April 5

allegedly’s Queensberry Promotions are rumored to announce a huge heavyweight bill today to kick off their DAZN schedule.

Queensberry are set to announce their schedule with new broadcasting partner DAZN. Queensberry shows will be broadcast on DAZN from April and Warren is rumored to be kicking off the schedule with a ban. The proposed all-heavyweight card is believed to take place on April 5 at the Co-op Live Arena and could feature a domestic dustup between Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce. Whyte has been on the comeback trail since returning from his PEDs ban and Joyce coming off a loss to Derek Chisora back in July.

Another bout rumored to be lined up is a clash between former cruiserweights Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe up at heavyweight. Okolie, a one-time cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion, impressed on his debut in the blue ribbon division back in December – a first round stoppage over Hussein Muhamed.

This would be Riakporhe’s first contest at heavyweight. His last was a failed attempt at claiming the WBO cruiserweight title against then-champion Chris Billam-Smith, who claimed the WBO belt from Okolie in 2023.

Okolie spoke to BS about the rumors surrounding a fight between him and Riakporhe.

“I’m definitely having a fight [announced on Monday],” Okolie said. “If it’s Richard [Riakphore], I still don't know. They told me three names. I said, ‘Any one of them, I’m here for it,’ so we’ll see.”

As well as the two domestic battles, rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma is also rumored to feature against former IBF champion Charles Martin. Itauma’s promoter, Warren, has previously said he is open to matching the youngster with Martin.

When asked about the rumored heavyweight card on April 5 by BS, the Hall of Fame promoter jokingly replied: “That sounds like a good card, doesn't it? I'd buy a ticket and go and see that myself.

“We'll see,” he added. “We're making an announcement on all our shows that will be coming up on DAZN, when we start our shows on there, which will be starting in April. We've got a number of shows that we'll be announcing next week, so you'll see. But I will tell you that there'll be really good quality fights from all around the country.”

[cormack]

Well that is a B roll card if thats all they got .

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

This one’s called Heavy Impact.

I remember Dubois-Gorman was Heavy Duty.

Frank loves the heavy stuff. What’s next?

Heavy ….

[skanksta]

D and my man Michael Jackson !

[Jimmy2025]

I think Okolie will absolutely trounce Riakporhe; really do a number on him in the first three rounds or so.

[joshj909]

Riakporhe looked terrible against CBS but obviously carries power. Okolie also didn't look good against CBS but has shown other ways for him to win, even if those are hideous to watch. Hopefully this isn't a staring contest or a hug fest. Its also weird having this at HW when it was a big fight at cruiserweight but an insignificant fight at Heavyweight.

[tony1234]

This one’s called Heavy Impact.

I remember Dubois-Gorman was Heavy Duty.

Frank loves the heavy stuff. What’s next?

Heavy ….

Losses ?

[a force]

I’m surprised there isn’t more excitement for this. I think it’s a cracking fight & I think Okolie’s more of a threat at heavyweight than most give him credit for.

I think Okolie in 6

[margaret thatcher]

well larry announces this big move to heavy, gets some interest in how he'd do vs bigger guys, and then he's back to fighting a career cruiser. its not a bad fight but i was hoping to get one vs a more known hw test

[Ruthless-RKO]

well larry announces this big move to heavy, gets some interest in how he'd do vs bigger guys, and then he's back to fighting a career cruiser

He did say he wanted Luis Ortiz few weeks back.

Rather see that.

[Taansend]

Looking forward to this.

They should have Madonna as the ring card girl.

[TheLeprechaun]

I'm not sure Riak wants it bad enough. Poor display of heart vs CBS I thought. That got to a point where it was a who wants it more type of thing. Okolie is well capable of stinking out a joint and making a fight very uncomfortable if he's having difficulty at range but I just think that Riak is too low volume to really cause hm too many problems.

[The Gratest]

This one’s called Heavy Impact.

I remember Dubois-Gorman was Heavy Duty.

Frank loves the heavy stuff. What’s next?

Heavy ….

Eyelids

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'm not sure Riak wants it bad enough. Poor display of heart vs CBS I thought. That got to a point where it was a who wants it more type of thing. Okolie is well capable of stinking out a joint and making a fight very uncomfortable if he's having difficulty at range but I just think that Riak is too low volume to really cause hm too many problems.

Riak said he was prepared to be hugged

[Ruthless-RKO]

This one’s called Heavy Impact.

I remember Dubois-Gorman was Heavy Duty.

Frank loves the heavy stuff. What’s next?

Heavy ….

Eyelids

"We called the show Heavy impact and this is an impact in the heavyweight division."

[Taansend]

I'm not sure Riak wants it bad enough. Poor display of heart vs CBS I thought. That got to a point where it was a who wants it more type of thing. Okolie is well capable of stinking out a joint and making a fight very uncomfortable if he's having difficulty at range but I just think that Riak is too low volume to really cause hm too many problems.

My own view is that both were dropping too much weight to be Cruiser that they didn't have full tanks to work with.

They are both big big lads & I think we'll see a more energised version of them at Heavy.

I'm leaning towards Okolie but thinking (hoping) this will be an exciting battle for a few rounds.

[SeanBrennan]

Good fight this. Okolie by KO for me

[KiwiRider]

Looking forward to this.

They should have Madonna as the ring card girl.

I know you'll be all over that.

[funso banjo baby]

I'm not hugely excited about this.

It needs more.....

[KiwiRider]

The card so far is fairy decent as the fights don't have a clear outcome.
As other posters have said, it will be interesting to see Riakporhe at whatever weight he is comfortable at- 6'5" is a huge cruiser!
Having to boil down like that affects stamina and sometimes punch resistance.
I've actually been waiting for him to move up finally at 35.
And Okolie has had just over a year to settle in as a heavyweight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Okolie on is his fight against Riakphore is business or personal
“I think every fight I have is personal. I think that’s the new energy I’ve adopted when it comes to boxing in particular. None of us are friends really...all boxing is personal to me because I’m trying to keep my life going change it for the better and they’re trying to do the opposite.

“To be fair I look at him and I see a model who model who boxes sometimes as opposed to a boxer that models. That’s no discredit to him, I think he’s a good model but as a boxer he’s alright.”

On how his fight with Riakphore will end
“It ends by stoppage. It definitely ends by stoppage. I think it’ll be a breakdown job. I think I could potentially get the one shot off because obviously whenever I land the one shot I could get the job done, but I think he’s got enough defensive acumen that if he puts on enough weight he’ll be able to withstand the first couple of rounds but then after that the breakdown begins.”

[Taansend]

Looking forward to this.

They should have Madonna as the ring card girl.

I know you'll be all over that.

I feel a bit sick now

[Ruthless-RKO]

‘Now is the time’: Richard Riakporhe reacts to upcoming fight with Lawrence Okolie

Richard Riakporhe says the time is right to fight Lawrence Okolie given their history.



Here’s some of what Riakporhe had to say below.

Riakporhe on why he’s facing Okolie
“I think it just makes the most sense. A lot of history, I got an opportunity, good numbers. Why not? I feel like the fight was going to happen anyway. When? I didn’t know, and it’s come, the opportunity has come and it just makes sense. Now is the time.”

On moving up to heavyweight for this fight
“I’ve always been mixing it with the heavier guys, I understand what it’s about. I understand the weights, I’ve always been around Dillian (Whyte) as you know, Dillian has been a mentor to me coming up in the game and I’ve seen him do his camps, I know what it’s about.

“And Okolie, at the same time, even though Okolie’s a heavyweight and he had an introduction (to the weight class), he had a one-round introduction, not a lot of experience. We don’t know what he looks like if it goes past four, goes past five. You don’t know how I would look, so it’s kind of perfect timing at the same time. We don’t really know.”

On if there is any actual beef between Okolie and himself
“Me personally, I feel that there is a bit of needle. It went viral what happened at the cinema. I don’t know him, if he’s putting on a persona, if he’s really about that life — I don’t know because I understand you’re a boxer but don’t try to come outside and try to act like a bad boy because I don’t believe he’s like that. I think he’s a good guy.”

[Ruthless-RKO]