Richard Riakporhe 20–1 (16 KOs) made his name at cruiserweight before moving up to win the British heavyweight title. The South London boxer’s power carried him through opponents including Sam Hyde and Tommy McCarthy.
He beat Chris Billam-Smith by split decision in 2019 and won the British cruiserweight championship against Jack Massey. Stoppage wins over Deion Jumah, Fabio Turchi and former world champion Krzysztof Głowacki brought him closer to a world-title opportunity.
Billam-Smith reversed their earlier result in June 2024, beating Riakporhe on points in a WBO cruiserweight title fight at Selhurst Park. It was Riakporhe’s first professional defeat.
Riakporhe moved into heavyweight competition with victories over Kevin Nicolas Hooper and Tommy Welch. On April 11, 2026, he stopped Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva in the fifth round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to win the British title. No next fight has been confirmed.
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