There were plenty who feared Tommy Welch was taking too significant a step up against Richard Riakporhe at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and they were proved correct after Riakporhe stormed to victory in two rounds.
Riakporhe scored three knockdowns before a final right hand crashed into the side of Welch’s head at 2-48 of the decisive round.
“It was good, we got the job done. Big respect to Tommy Welch. Big heart, solid fighter,” said Riakporhe, having just his second fight at heavyweight. “I’m not here to play around. 2026, I’m coming for you all. I was telling Tommy, you need to slow down and not throw too many bombs early, that’s why I pounced on him straight away. I want everyone. I’m interested in the domestic scene.”
Little of consequence happened in the opening session but in the second, two long overhand rights bowled Welch to the deck and the Brighton man struggled to get his legs back under him. Riakporhe, conversely, looked for that rangy right again.
Welch tried to move and hold and hold and move, but Riakporhe had a composed and deliberate look about him and another right caught Welch retreating to his left and dropped him once more. With Welch back up – but the confidence departing his mind – Riakporhe fired in a fine right hand and the Billy Nelson-trained Londoner had improved to 19-1 (15 KOs).
Riakporhe is 35 and leaving his heavyweight charge late. He lost to Chris Billam-Smith in a 2024 challenge for the WBO title at 200lbs via a decision
Welch, 16-1 (9 KOs), is the son of former heavyweight title challenger Scott, who was in the corner of his son.
Riakporhe is promoted by Boxxer’s Ben Shalom who said: “He’s a beast. He’s a beast at heavyweight. Richard’s ready for the big names now. Dillian Whyte, [Dereck] Chisora, [David] Adelaye, they’re not gonna want to get in the ring with Richard.”
Shalom promotes the British heavyweight fight between Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV in Derby on November 29, and he said Riakporhe would be watching on, while Lawrence Okolie has long been mentioned as a possible foe for Riakporhe.
