Richard Riakporhe and Chris Kongo return to Wembley Arena this Saturday night for potentially defining fights in their bids for world title contention.
Walworth’s Riakporhe, 32, faces Fabio Turchi in a cruiserweight world title eliminator, while Bermondsey’s Kongo, 29, goes up against Sebastian Formella in their welterweight showdown.
‘The Midnight Train’ Riakporhe has a professional record of 14-0 with ten KOS’s. Kongo’s record stands at 13-1-0, his only loss coming against Michael KcKinson in their WBO Global Title fight in Gibraltar last year.
Big-hitting Riakporhe spelled out what he wants this weekend.
“The way I assess it, he’s just another opponent I need to deal with in great fashion and we’re going for the knockout,” Riakporhe said on Sky Sports.
“He reminds me of a Mike Tyson. He’s always moving, he’s always throwing big shots, those loopy hands.
“He can be a bit dirty as well, he likes to use his head, so we’ll make sure we have a word with the referee so they know. I just see him as another opponent.
“I feel like once I detonate those bombs, he’s going to be out of there in no time.
Italian Turchi, 28, has fought 21 times in the professional ranks and won fourteen times inside the distance.
His only defeat was on a split-decision against Tommy McCarthy in 2019.
“My camp to prepare for this fight has done me so much good,” Riakporhe said. “I think this is going to be the best performance of my career. I’m going to win a contest of punching power, if that’s what it becomes.
“I just want to improve in every single way. At the gym we made a pact that we aim to improve every single performance, and give the fans what they want.
“They want to see a fight, they want to see knockdowns and knockouts.
“That’s what we train to do in the gym and that’s why people like to watch Richard Riakporhe.”
Riakporhe, who is ranked seventh by the WBC and eleventh by the WBO, has been sparring with Deion Jumah, whom he defeated in his last bout in March.
Riakporhe hopes another victory will set him up for a world title fight later this year. Lawrence Okolie and Ilunga Makabu could be options.
“I think it’s quite interesting and that’s why I’ve got an amazing team, they are working around the clock to make sure they can deliver me what I want”, Riakporhe said.
“We’re in a great position. They’re doing a great job because we’re not only ranked with the WBC, we’re ranked throughout other boards now and we’re fighting for a very high position in the IBF.
“Some championships might be tied up and they might have mandatories they need to fight for before they can discuss with us, and some might not be. There might be obstacles out there and they might disappear, and vice-versa.
“I just learnt to take every fight which is in front of me and deal with that, and leave it all to my team to discuss.
“But I’m game, I’m ready to fight any champion. I believe in myself – I fancy my chances against every fighter there is.”