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“True Champion” Richard Riakporhe predicts KO win against Tommy McCarthy


“A win for me within the distance.”

That’s the none-too-dressed up prediction Richard Riakporhe gives ahead of his anticipated clash with Tommy McCarthy on Saturday March 2nd in Peterborough.

It’s not that the Londoner with the interesting backstory believes the Belfast cruiserweight isn’t a talent, it’s more a statement of the faith the puncher has in his power.

READ: Richard Riakporhe – From near-death to boxing champion

With seven stoppages in eight – including a career-changing come-from-behind win over Sam Hyde last time out – Riakporhe believes he has enough to take out McCarthy [13(6)-1(0)].

Despite predicting a stoppage win for the pair’s JDNXTGEN WBA rankings title fight, the 29-year-old does admit he has long since admired the skill of ‘The Mack Attack’ and, having experience of Irish culture, suggests he is aware to expect a battling performance.

Riakporhe revealed to Irish-Boxing.com that “I watched Tommy box as an amateur at the Commonwealth Games, qualifiers and so on at light heavyweight and I always thought he had good skill.”

“I expect Tommy to come and fight as he is a self proclaimed black Irishman and fortunately for me I know all about the Irish culture so I know what to expect.”

While that is all respectful from the British title hopeful and WBA #12, he did manage to send some politely packaged jibes the way of the 28-year-old MHD fighter having previously drawn the comparison between their respective fights with journeyman Jiri Svacina.

READ: Richard Riakporhe warns McCarthy of power differential

Riakporhe suggests that he has chosen McCarthy as his preferred opponent next weekend rather than the match-up being a proposed one from promoter Eddie Hearm

The 6’5″ Walworth man also claims he is giving the accomplished amateur a chance to test himself, whereas the similarly confident Belfast man would argue the other way.

Riakporhe outlined how “the fight came about because we had a look at the top 10 ranked fighters and thought Tommy was a decent and was one of the few fighters to accept the challenge. ”

“This is a great opportunity for us both. A chance for him to test himself against a true champion and me to defend my title. I have too much to fight for and can see me winning this contest by any means necessary,” he added before claiming McCarthy will not be his toughest fight to date.

“I doubt it,” he responds.

“I believe on paper it’s a good test but I’ve had much tougher fights in and out of the ring. We will just have to see on the night.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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