Richard Riakporhe spent Christmas day on his own and trained in ice cold conditions while preparing to face Krzysztof Glowacki on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr‘s fight with Liam Smith.
Riakporhe – who is currently undefeated with a record of 15 wins, zero loses and zero draws – is confident he can beat the Polish boxer when they step into the ring together on January 21.
Describing his most recent training camp as ‘painful’, Riakporhe insists a victory over the 36-year-old would put him on the brink of challenging for a world title shot after a ‘tough’ six years.
Richard Riakporhe spent Christmas day on his own and trained in ice cold condition in the build-up to Saturday’s fight with Krzysztof Glowacki
Riakporhe only started boxing aged 19 but threw himself into the sport and turned professional in 2016. He told Sportsmail about how he planned to go on a ‘six year grind’ to earn himself a world title shot.
The 33-year-old, who was almost stabbed to death outside a nightclub at the age of 15, is in touching distance of achieving his dream. Although Riakporhe is clearly excited about what’s to come, he highlighted the ‘sacrifices’ he had to make to get to this point.
Riakporhe outlined the ‘painful’ training camp he endured in the build-up to Saturday’s fight – explaining how he trained in ice cold conditions when the heating in his gym broke during his training camp and how he isolated himself from his family over the Christmas period.
Riakporhe will step into the ring in Manchester on January 21 to face the Polish boxer (right)
Riakporhe described his training camp as ‘painful’ but said it will be worth it when he wins
Riakporhe also spoke about how he has missed out on several important moments with his family throughout his career. However, he said achieving a world title shot would make it worth it.
He told Sportsmail: ‘I didn’t have a Christmas. Christmas day I was by myself, lonely. I was just boxing. No family, no friends, nobody around me.
‘New Years was the same. I wasn’t doing anything, I wasn’t celebrating. I didn’t want to go around anybody as I didn’t want to jeopardise my health by catching the flu or a cold because of the bugs going around.
The 33-year-old British boxer admitted it would tough but said fighting in a world title clash would make it worth it. He said: ‘It was tough, but it is going to pay off. In this game, the more you sacrifice, the more you get. I am ready for a big prize.’
Riakporhe is currently undefeated with a record of 15 wins, zero loses and zero draws
The 33-year-old spoke about how he spent the Christmas period isolated from his family and explained how the heating in his gym broke during his training camp
When asked about how much of his personal life he had to sacrifice to reach this point, Riakporhe said: ‘When you look at everything in hindsight, you realise you have sacrificed quite a lot. Sometimes you don’t notice it.
‘But, no Christmas, no family, being alone, it’s tough. It is tough. It’s one of those things though that you know you are going to get a big reward for this. It’s all going to pay off.
‘The one thing I have learnt about boxing is that you get out of it what you put in. You can’t beat it and you can’t make your own rules for this game. I know I have put in the work, so I know I am going to get what I deserve.’
Riakporhe is confident he can be Glowacki on the weekend despite the fact the Polish boxier is a former two-time WBO cruiserweight world champion.
Speaking about his opponent, Riakporhe said: ‘I respect every single fighter when I step into the ring, but I don’t let CV’s blind me from the task.
‘Boxing is not the type of sport that you can say ‘I played this, I played this’. It’s a lifestyle. If you’re not living the lifestyle of a professional fighter, it doesn’t matter what’s on your CV.
‘You will get smoked by some unknown fighter with way less experience. That’s the way this game is. That’s what makes it so interesting. So, I make sure I secure myself by preparing myself, living the lifestyle and having discipline.’
When asked what makes him superior to Glowacki, Riakporhe said: ‘I am big, I am strong. I am fast, I am intelligent. I am very crafty. All of those things are very difficult to deal with.
‘Most importantly, I have the will. I know where I want to go, I know who I am and I know what it’s taken to get to my position. I’m not going to let just anyone take that from me.’
Riakporhe said he will respect Glowacki but insists he is not worried about his opponent’s CV
Riakporhe believes a victory over Glowacki would move him one step closer to a much-desired cruiserweight world title shot.
He said: ‘I believe things are going to open up, especially throughout this year, 2023. I believe this is going to be a very successful year.
‘Things are falling into place better thank I could have ever imagined. I just have that feeling, this is a really bless year for me.
‘I am doing my part; I am making sure I am working hard and preparing myself for any tests or opportunities that arise.’
If he can defeat Glowacki, Riakporhe – who is No 2 with the IBF and No 5 with the WBC world governing bodies – wants to fight stable-mate Lawrence Okolie.
He says the fight would be ‘entertaining for the fans’ as it could consist of two British boxers throwing ‘big power punches’.
Riakporhe – who is No 2 with the IBF and No 5 with the WBC world governing bodies – wants to fight stable-mate Lawrence Okolie (pictured centre)
Speaking about a potential fight with Okolie, Riakporhe said: ‘I believe I will get the victory in that fight. It will be a big fight.
‘I don’t think it will be easy but I have something in me that just doesn’t take no for an answer. I will keep on going and keep on trying. I will do anything to win.
‘I feel like that would be a great fight for the fans. I think it would be very entertaining. I think there would be big power punches.
‘We are two big guys, and it will be an all-British showdown. You can’t go wrong. Put a world title in the mix and people would love it. I think it will happen very soon.’
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.
