‘He’s like Mike Tyson’ – Richard Riakporhe wary of ‘dangerous’ upcoming opponent Fabio Turchi, as he targets a world title shot before the end of the year
Richard Riakporhe has made quite the statement ahead of his fight with Fabio Turchi on Saturday night, comparing his Italian opponent to heavyweight legend, Mike Tyson.
The fight that will take place at Wembley Arena over the weekend has been billed as a world title eliminator, although it has not been commissioned for a belt by any of the sanctioning bodies.
Turchi has a record of 20-1, with his only loss coming against Tommy McCarthy, who Riakporhe knocked out in 2019.
Despite being the heavy favourite, 'The Midnight Train' is refusing to overlook Turchi, who has 14 knockouts to his name and an aggressive, come-forward style.
"He reminds me of a replica of Mike Tyson." Riakporhe told talkSPORT.
"He's like Mike Tyson, but he doesn't move his head as much as Mike did, so he'll be there to feel the full force of 'The Midnight Train' and for that reason I don't think it's going to go on for that long.
"I feel like I'll be able to get him out of there within the distance. He's not somebody who I'm overlooking, he's actually quite dangerous and he's got a bit of a punch as well.
"He does come to win, as you can see by his winning record, so we're not taking him lightly and we didn't in preparation."
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Riakporhe is confident that if he comes through this latest challenge unscathed he will become a world champion before the end of the year, but he claims the title holders in the cruiserweight division are 'running scared'.
The current champions at 200 lbs include Mairis Briedis (IBF), Ilunga Makabu (WBC), Arsen Goulamirian (WBA) and the man who would make the biggest fight for Riakporhe, his fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie (WBO).
In terms of the most likely option, Riakporhe's best ranking is with the WBC as he sits in 7th, but this fight with Turchi should catapult him up the IBF rankings and in with a chance to challenge Briedis.
With that being said, however, Riakporhe made it clear that he doesn't care who he has to fight to win a world title and added: "on my best night I'll demolish all of them."