Richard Riakporhe includes Lawrence Okolie clash on two-fight British list
Richard Riakporhe is willing to go toe-to-toe with stablemate Chris Billam-Smith and rival Lawrence Okolie in thrilling domestic showdowns.
Riakporhe is looking to secure a world title shot when he takes on leading contender Krzysztof Glowacki at the AO Manchester Arena this Saturday night. The 'Midnight Train' currently sits as the highest ranked contender with the IBF and is expected to earn a shot at new champion Jay Opateia providing he picks up a win.
Should the British star be crowned champion, it is likely he could be lined up by his British rivals including previous foe Billam-Smith and new stablemate Okolie. A fight with the latter could see him look to unify the division with 'The Sauce' currently holding the WBO world title.
And Riakporhe believes Okolie's addition to the BOXXER and Sky Sports stable will make it a lot easier to create the big fights between the cruiserweight division's top domestic talent. "I am very excited with the way things are going to pan out particularly after talking to Ben Shalom," Riakporhe told Mirror Fighting and other reporters ahead of his upcoming bow. "This is the plan from the get-go.
"They want to get all the top cruiserweights under one banner. Now it has materialised. Okolie is coming over in March for his first fight I believe, Billam Smith is over here and I am here so it is perfect. It is going to be easy to make the fights, it is just going to be a conversation about money between us and that is it. It should be easy enough to get them cracking.
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"I want all of them, every domestic fight I feel like I can do it. I have dealt with them before too it is nothing new to me. In fact I am more motivated to fight in them domestic fights, because there is pride and ego all in one. I know how to deal with these guys so it is exciting for the future and this year."
Richard Riakporhe is eyeing a unification clash with Lawrence Okolie (Getty Images)Who wins if the pair meet - Richard Riakporhe or Lawrence Okolie? Let us know in the comments section below
Okolie has not fought for several months but it has been announced he will switch allegiances to BOXXER where he will make his debut in the coming weeks. A fight between the two would be a huge market appeal for fans given the pair's undefeated professional records.
And promoter Ben Shalom has teased that a showdown could be on the horizon providing the pair continue to win their respective outings. "I think it's a fight Lawrence would like, it's amazing to have two guys at the top of the division both from Britain," Shalom told Sky Sports.
"Both fighters know that is their fight. They want to make sure perhaps that Richard has his world title and we could be looking at a British unification in the cruiserweight division."
Richard Riakporhe fights Krzysztof Glowacki at BOXXER: Unleashed ahead of Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith, live on Sky Sports Box Office at Manchester’s AO Arena on January 21.
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