Richard Riakporhe will push for a world title shot at heavyweight.
The Londoner, a former cruiserweight world title challenger, became the British heavyweight champion with a crunching stoppage victory over Jeamie TKV on Tyson Fury’s undercard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Riakporhe considers that a warning shot to the rest of the weight class.
“I think that’s what makes me more exciting as an addition to the heavyweight division,” Riakporhe told Sky Sports.
“They want to see knockouts. Let’s be real. Let’s be honest. They want to see exciting knockouts, powerful punches being thrown, where you want to come and take your time, spend your money to visit a stadium and see a real fighter throw shots and is game.
“You can see in my aura and just in my body language, I’m very serious about doing real damage in this division.”
The British title in the heavyweight division has often launched fighters into world level competition. That’s where Riakporhe’s ambitions extend.
“I want a title fight,” he said. “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.
“I feel like now there’s a new crop of fighters coming through and we’re just waiting for our chance. It’s risky for them well established guys to fight us. We’re dangerous, we’re hungry, anything can happen. I don’t think it’s smart. So give up the belts so we can fight!”
There isn’t a clear path necessarily for him to go straight into a championship fight, but he hopes to get the chance.
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“I’m just navigating the seas for opportunities,” he said. “The landscape is always changing. The only thing I can do is be ready.
“Every single day now is adding towards me becoming champion,” he continued. “I know what it takes. I’ve been in the game for a while and I’ve seen many people come to the gym, I’ve seen people be at the top and I’ve seen them go. I’ve seen it all.
“That’s why I just sit down and I do my thing and 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.
“We’re trying to push towards a world title fight.”
