Richard Riakporhe Says His British Rivals Won’t ‘Mention My Name’ After Feeling the Strength of His Eliminating Power | Boxing News

Richard Riakporhe’s raw punching power has shattered bones, shocked his British rivals and even stalled his own career.

While healing a faded hand, Riakporhe still couldn’t help but smile.

His destructive right fist was covered with fractures, just as he was within easy reach of a world title fight.

As former opponents fought for his British title, Riakporhe watched and waited for some recognition.

“It’s funny. It was almost like they didn’t want to mention my name. Like I didn’t exist,” Riakporhe told Sky Sports.

“Everyone noticed it.

“I started to be inundated with messages, all over my Twitter and Instagram. ‘What’s going on? What are you doing?'”

The cruiserweight contender had clubbed and beaten the established names in his division, possibly causing disbelief among fighters who were to defeat the rugged Londoner.

Sam Hyde suffered horrific swelling above his eye as he was stopped by Riakporhe, who then sent shockwaves through Tommy McCarthy’s legs in a stunning knockout victory.

Two other favorite fighters Chris Billam-Smith and Jack Massey were injured and overtaken by Riakporhe, but that savage punch put a strain on his body.

“I put my hand in the glove, clenching my fist, just because there were different pains all over my hands. Sharp pains,” admitted Riakporhe.

The 31-year-old insists he is now a more dangerous proposition, despite an almost two-year absence from the ring.

Riakporhe has teamed up with new coach Angel Fernandez, first refining his offensive stroke while his right hand was held in place by pins, and he plans to unleash sharper combinations on Krzysztof Twardowski tonight, live on Sky Sports.

“Do not tell these secrets to my opponents,” laughs Riakporhe.

“Every person I fought I hurt. My record is 11 wins, eight knockouts. The only reason I didn’t get the other knockouts was that my technical side was lacking.

“If I want these knockouts, I need a team that works around me, and I have to take it up a level. I need to have a world championship type team built around me.

“I have Angel Fernandez and he has been absolutely phenomenal. My boxing IQ has improved so much.

“Every day I have a revelation. How come I didn’t know? “

Fernandez is part of the inner circle of Anthony Joshua, a specialist member of the coaching staff, and Riakporhe strengthened his friendship with the heavyweight ahead of last weekend’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

” I knew him [Joshua] for a very long time, probably going back 12 years, “said Riakporhe

“Boxing, fights between amateurs when it went to world championship fights.

“We have similar notions about life, about giving back. Community oriented. He helped me, gave me a lot of great advice.

“I even remember after Pulev’s fight. A week after the fight we practiced. It just shows the kind of dedication he has to the sport, even though he has accomplished so much. You have to respect that and it rubs off.

“You would think, ‘Once I earn those millions, I’ll be in the Bahamas with a cocktail and my legs stretched out.’ But these guys are back in the gym and they’re hungry.

“It was an honor to be around people like Joshua.”

With his right hand now “completely healed”, Riakporhe resumes his pursuit of the division’s world champions, which should lead to another explosive British fighter, WBO champion Lawrence Okolie.

Dilan Prasovic was knocked out in the third round as Okolie completed his final demolition job on the Joshua vs Usyk bill.

Okolie has called for clashes for unification, but Riakporhe’s return intends to impose a fight by winning a world title himself or increasing public demand to make sure he can’t do it all. just not be ignored.

“All I want is to become a unified world champion,” said Riakporhe.

“It’s in my head. It’s not enough to become world champion for me, and I know I can do it.

“Imagine that, at the O2 or at Wembley. Two cruiserweights, two winners. People who think they’re the best and mix it up. We’re going to stake everything.

“I know how it would be. I know exactly how it would be.”

Watch Riakporhe vs. Twardowski on tonight’s Eubank Jr bill, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports.