WBO number one cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe 16-0 (12) will face French national champion Dylan Bregeon 13-4-1 (3) in a stay busy fight at The Halls in Wolverhampton, England on November 18.
While the 26-year-old Bregeon doesn’t hold victories over anyone of note he has proven to be durable in his losses, going the distance with current WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith and fringe contenders Isaac Chamberlain and Fabio Turchi.
His only loss inside the distance was a fourth-round knockout to European champion Michal Cieslak back in April.
Britain’s Riakporhe, 33, has had a frustrating year since his fourth-round knockout victory over former WBO champion Krzysztof Glowacki in Manchester in January.
Riakporhe’s promoter BOXXER withdrew him from negotiations to face IBF and Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia 23-0 (18) to pursue a shot at WBA champion Arsen Goulamirian 27-0 (18) instead. Negotiations with the team representing the 36-year-old Frenchman fell apart too.
In steps Dylan Bregeon to keep Riakporhe ticking over as he waits for his world title shot against Billam-Smith 18-1 (12).
“A lot has happened since I’ve been away but on November 18 I am back and reminding everyone why I am the number one contender in this division,” Riakporhe said.
“I take every single fight as seriously as possible because I’m right at the line of a world title fight. I’m number with the WBO and come through this fight, take all of that whisper – I’m fighting for a world title.”
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and founder, said: “It’s been a frustrating few months for us after we did have a world title agreed in France in September. Fortunately, Richard is in a great position and we expect Richard will channel that into his performance on November 18 and come back to the ring with a bang to remind fans whisper – and his fellow cruiserweights whisper – what he’s all about.
“It’s such an exciting time for the cruiserweight division, particularly in the UK. We have Chris Billam-Smith defending his world title against Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth on December 10, Lawrence Okolie preparing for his shot at redemption and Richard Riakporhe as the WBO’s number one contender waiting for the mandatory to be called.
“2024 is going to be an incredible year for the cruiserweights as we look forward to some massive fights between these three men.”
Riakporhe told Sky Sports News that he will be watching the Billam-Smith vs Masternak fight closely.
“We’re going to be paying close attention to the winner of Masternak vs CBS on December 10. It’s going to be very interesting. 2024 is looking very bright,” he said.
“I know CBS is going to be up for it because he understands that there’s big opportunities for him as well to fight against me and Okolie.
“Any of them can get it. I don’t have no problem with that. I’ve actually signed to fight all of them. Whoever wants it first, they can just queue up.
“We can just mix it. But we have to come through this [Bregeon fight] so I’m completely focused on my opponent next week Saturday.”
