RICHARD RIAKPORHE is not only confident he can knock out Jai Opetaia but believes there may be a fragility about the cruiserweight champion.
Opetaia won his IBF belt with one of the finest performances in 2022. Thirteen months ago, Mairis Breidis travelled Down Under to take on the Australian challenger who overcame two jaw breaks to defeat the Latvian by unanimous decision.
The 27-year-old has been unable make a defence having needed time to recover from the jaw injuries and then requiring shoulder surgery in February. Throughout that period the names of Chris Billam-Smith and Lawrence Okolie had been linked to a fight against the southpaw.
The shoulder problem allowed Opetaia a 60-day medical extension from the IBF ahead of a mandatory defence which was to come against Mateusz Masternak. News broke late last week that the Polish cruiser chose to withdraw from the contest allowing the next available challenger Richard Riakporhe to step in. If the two parties cannot agree a deal by July 14, then the fight will go to purse bids.
“We have a goal and that’s to get the title by any means necessary. It doesn’t matter where it is,” Riakporhe told Boxing News recently.
“If it’s over there then we just have to work strategically to make sure that we’re in the best situation so we can perform and that’s all it is.”
The 33-year-old, unbeaten in 16 fights, has demonstrated his world-class power and formidable strength in his last four fights all of which have been won inside the distance. Should Opetaia v Riakporhe come to fruition then questions will be asked about the Australian’s ability to withstands the Briton’s punches given the injuries sustained against Briedis.
BN asked Riakporhe if he thought the champion would be cautious against him.
“I think it’s intelligent to be cautious,” he replied.
“I think his coach would definitely be cautious. For a jaw to break like that you don’t really hear about injuries like that. Maybe his bones might be a little less dense.
“I could see by the shape of his face he might have soft bones, but I don’t think about that. I’m thinking of a perfect Jai Opetaia and ready to perform better than he’s ever performed before.
“Me personally I know that you know once you break bones it’s never the same again, I know that for a fact. The worst thing you want to break is bones in your face because whether you take a shot in the same place or another place it might alter everything or everything may cave in.”
