Richard Riakporhe insists his lavish lifestyle outside the ring will not get in the way of achieving his dream of becoming a boxing world champion.
'The Midnight Train' is set to fight for a world title for the first time in his career when he challenges Chris Willem-Smith for the WBO cruiserweight belt at Selhurst Park next Saturday.
Riakporhe's emergence as one of boxing's fiercest knockout merchants coincides with his growing reputation outside the sport in the form of modeling work with Burberry and Dior, not to mention being photographed with Madonna.
Now that he's gotten this far, he doesn't plan on letting anything slow him down his path to the title.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the best moments from Riakporhe's win over Billam-Smith by split decision in 2019.
The gloves are off
Sunday, June 9th at 10pm
“It might be, it might be a distraction, but I love boxing,” Riakporhe said. The gloves are off. “As you know, boxing is everything to me.
“I love competing, testing myself, testing my character and learning and understanding who I am as an individual. I feel like I was made for this.”
Billam-Smith arrived as the defending champion, becoming the first man to defeat Lawrence Okolie when the English rivals met in Bournemouth last year. This would mark a notable upturn in five years since he suffered the first loss of his professional career to Riak Faure in 2019.
The 33-year-old's life outside the ring stands in stark contrast to his life in Riakporhe. It's not that I like that person.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ellie Scotney and George Groves reveal what they believe could make a difference in Billam-Smith's fight against Riakporhe.
“I know he’s been modeling, he’s on the back of a few London buses, so it’s always nice to see them on the way to the gym and get some motivation,” Billam-Smith joked. “But that doesn’t matter, does it? I’m not the type of person to live that kind of life.
“I have a son at home who will be two years old by the time the fight breaks out. I have a wife and a family. That's what's important to me, not a lavish lifestyle or anything like that. And then it's about me and my own selfish goals. It's boxing and it's just about being the best.
“I love fighting. I love bettering myself in boxing every day. That's what I continue to do. That's what's important to me. And then I can be an inspiration to my son, my family and my community. “I show everyone that I can do it.”
The journey to Riakporhe was equally shocking. After almost losing his life after being stabbed in the chest at the age of 15, he took up boxing at the relatively late age of 19 and has since established himself as one of the most fearsome world title contenders in the division.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Riakporhe made the chilling prediction after it was announced he would meet Billam-Smith at Selhurst Park.
“For me, losing is not an option,” Riakporhe said. “I came from nothing. You won’t understand where I come from.
“It goes without saying, but there is no such thing as defeat. As long as I am awake and conscious, I walk away a winner.
“The Chris Willem-Smith fans will come inside and see tragedy, their hero in ash and south London winning.
“I will lift the WBO world title. I can see it and visualize it. Richard Riakporhe, the WBO cruiserweight world champion. I believe in my heart that I am the best. I have it all.”
Billam-Smith and Riakporhe have regularly dismissed any suggestion that their first fight could have a lasting impact in next weekend's clash. For the champion, this is just another defense.
“I have a mandatory challenger in front of me who has boxed before and seen me box many times, so it’s exciting, not intimidating,” Billam-Smith said. “It’s an exciting challenge. He’s a good fighter, but not good enough.”
Watch Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith chat on the latest edition of The Globe Are Off on Sky Sports Action from 10pm on Sunday. Riakporhe will challenge Billam-Smith for the WBO cruiserweight world title live on Sky on Saturday 15 June.
