The latest British heavyweight champion wants to push on and take over the whole of the banner division.
Former holders of the famous title who have gone on to become world champions include Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, while challengers like Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce have also worn it around their waists in the past.
The most recent holder of the belt is Richard Riakporhe, who has won 20 of his 21 fights. Speaking to the Toe2Toe Podcast, London-based Riakporhe revealed his world title ambitions following his latest victory.
“I would love to box for the world title. Every time I think about the world title, I always think about that night at Selhurst, and I could have got that right, I could have got that right and it would have been an easy win for me. But everything went totally wrong and It feels like I can’t move on with my life until I get that title, until I accomplish that.
“Until I get a world title, then I can say look I’ve done what I need to do, that was my mission. I feel that’s improved me as a fighter, honestly its added so much to my game and I feel like sometimes in life things like this happen.
“You might have to take an L or suffer something so you can grow and become a better fighter and understand the pain and be like, look, I’m ready to take things to the next level, but if you don’t feel that then how can you take things to another level, so I’m even more confident I will get the title.”
That night at Selhurst Park in June 2024 saw the 36-year-old lose a decision to WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith.
Since then, he has moved up to heavyweight and beaten Kevin Nicolas Espindola, Tommy Welch and most recently Jeamie Tshikeva for the British title in April, so he is well placed to push for a shot at the belts currently shared between Oleksandr Usyk and WBO champion Wardley, who defends against Dubois in May.
