Cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe 16-0 (12) says he is ready for the top dogs in the 200-pound division after knocking out former WBO champion Krzystof Glowacki 32-4 (20) at the AO Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday night.
The 33-year-old Londoner was methodical and patient against Polish southpaw Glowacki, 36, picking his spots against his experienced opponent before stopping him in the fourth.
Riakporhe said he is ready for any of the big names at cruiserweight, including Ring magazine and IBF champion Jai Opetaia 22-0 (17).
“Next stop all the champions!” Riakporhe said in the ring after the fight. “Jai Opetaia, I know you’re watching this. Trust me, we’re coming for you.”
Other names on his hit list included WBC titleholder Ilunga Makabu 29-2 (25), WBO titleholder Lawrence Okolie 18-0 (14) and WBO titleholder Arsen Gourlamirian 27-0 (18).
“Makabu, you lot can’t run no more,” Riakporhe continued. “Okolie, Goulamirian, I know all of you lot and I think about you every day when I go to sleep.”
The 6-foot-5 Riakporhe delivered a poised performance against Glowacki, using his height and reach to control the ring and nailing his opponent with hard shots when he tried to close the distance.
Glowacki, who had lost two of his last three outings to Okolie and Mairis Briedis 28-2 (20) in world title bouts, was hurt in the second round but used his veteran savvy to slow the momentum of the fight and get out of trouble.
The away fighter used every tool in his arsenal to remain in the fight in the third, but a right cross from Riakporhe in the fourth wobbled him again and set him staggering back to a croner, where the home fighter teed off to force the stoppage at the 2:44 mark.
“We wanted a knockout victory and I predicted round three or four, so some people in the gym who put bets on are going to be happy,” Riakporhe said. “We’re on a train, the next stop, all the champions.”
Old rival Chris Billam-Smith 17-1 (12) joined Riakporhe in the ring after his victory. The pair previously met in the square circle in what was the 10th pro fight for each of them at the O2 Arena in London, England in July 2019 on a card topped by Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas.
In that bout Billam-Smith was counted down in the seventh but performed well enough to hold on for respectable a split decision loss by scores of 94-95, 96-93 and 92-97. He has remained unbeaten in his eight fights since.
Both boxers are keen for a rematch but not before they have both won world titles.
“We both want world titles, we both need to go away and get world titles and make it a huge fight,” Billam-Smith said.
“I think everyone would want to see that again.”
