Richard Riakporhe is setting his sights on a world championship opportunity in the heavyweight division. The London‑born fighter, who previously challenged for a cruiserweight world title, captured the British heavyweight crown by stopping Jeamie TKV in a decisive victory on Tyson Fury's undercard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Riakporhe says that win is meant to serve as a warning to every contender in the division. "I think that's what makes me more exciting as an addition to the heavyweight division," he told Sky Sports.
"Fans want knockouts. Let's be real – they want to see explosive punches, the kind of action that makes them spend their money on tickets and experience a genuine fighter delivering powerful shots. You can see from my aura and my body language that I am very serious about doing real damage in this division." The British heavyweight title has historically been a springboard for fighters to reach the global stage, and Riakporhe is keen to follow that pathway.
He explained his ambition clearly: "I want a title fight. I'm really interested to see who wins against Daniel Dubois and WBO champion Fabio Wardley.
Everybody's waiting to see what's happening with Oleksandr Usyk. I want one of those belts." He believes a new wave of British heavyweights is emerging, and that the established stars should be willing to step aside for the hungry up‑and‑comers. "We are dangerous, we are hungry, anything can happen. It's risky for the well‑established guys to fight us.
It's not smart. So give up the belts so we can fight!" he urged.
While there is no guaranteed shortcut straight to a world title bout, Riakporhe remains optimistic about earning his chance. "I'm just navigating the seas for opportunities," he said.
"The landscape is always changing. The only thing I can do is be ready." He emphasized that every day of training adds to his ultimate goal of becoming champion.
"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." Riakporhe's experience in both cruiserweight and heavyweight ranks has given him a unique perspective on the sport's business side. He explained that understanding the system is as important as physical preparation. "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." Beyond the immediate goal of a championship clash, Riakporhe is also focused on building a lasting legacy. He wants to be remembered not only for his power but for his work ethic and his ability to adapt to the evolving heavyweight landscape. "The heavyweight division is in a period of transition," he noted.
"There are big names like Usyk, Dubois, Wardley, and the next generation is knocking on the door. I want to be part of that narrative, to be the guy who steps in and proves he belongs among the elite." To achieve that, he is expanding his skill set. Since moving up from cruiserweight, Riakporhe has added weight strategically, focusing on maintaining speed while increasing his punching power. He has also been working on his defensive fundamentals, studying film of the top heavyweights to refine his footwork and head movement.
"You can't rely on size alone," he said. "You need to be technically sound, you need to have stamina, and you need the heart to keep pushing when the rounds get tough." His training camp now includes a blend of traditional boxing drills, strength and conditioning sessions, and mental preparation techniques such as visualization and meditation.
He believes that a well‑rounded approach will give him the edge when he finally steps into a world title ring. "When the opportunity comes, I want to be ready in every aspect – physically, mentally, and tactically," he affirmed.
Riakporhe also acknowledges the importance of fan support. He wants to give the British public the kind of thrilling fights that fill arenas and generate excitement on social media. "People want to see a real fighter, someone who throws big shots and goes for the finish," he said.
"I want to give them that." Looking ahead, Riakporhe is keeping his options open, willing to take on any top‑ranked opponent who can propel him toward a world title shot. He remains patient but persistent, aware that the heavyweight division can be unpredictable. "Anything can happen," he repeated.
"That's why I stay hungry and keep working." In summary, Richard Riakporhe has turned his British heavyweight championship into a platform from which he intends to launch into the global arena. He is committed to delivering genuine knockout power, mastering the technical aspects of the sport, and navigating the ever‑changing landscape of heavyweight boxing.
With his eyes fixed firmly on a world title, he continues to train, adapt, and wait for the moment when the opportunity to fight for a world belt finally arrives.