Richard Riakporhe targets world heavyweight title after British win

Richard Riakporhe wants a world heavyweight title fight after stopping Jeamie TKV to claim the British championship on the Fury-Usyk undercard at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former cruiserweight title challenger delivered a knockout win in his first defence of domestic honours and told Sky Sports he is now eyeing belts held by Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, or whoever emerges from the Oleksandr Usyk situation. "I want a title fight," Riakporhe said, per the report. "I'm really interested to see who wins with Daniel Dubois and [WBO champion Fabio] Wardley. Everybody's waiting to see what's going on with [Oleksandr] Usyk. I want one of them titles."

Riakporhe positions himself as dangerous threat to established names

The Londoner argued that the new generation of heavyweights poses too much risk for champions to take on voluntarily. "We're dangerous, we're hungry, anything can happen," he said. "I don't think it's smart. So give up the belts so we can fight!" Riakporhe described his stoppage of TKV as a statement to the division, one designed to show promoters and broadcasters that he brings the power casual fans pay to see.

He acknowledged the path to a championship bout is not straightforward but said he is monitoring every shift in the heavyweight landscape for an opening. "I'm just navigating the seas for opportunities," Riakporhe said. "The landscape is always changing. The only thing I can do is be ready."

Riakporhe closed by saying his experience watching fighters rise and fall has taught him how to position himself for a title shot. "I know sooner or later you're going to see me at the top because I know exactly what's going on and I understand the system," he said. No date for his next fight has been announced.

Source: skysports.com