Richard Riakporhe is feeling the benefits of training alongside Anthony Joshua as he prepares for his next assignment. Riakporhe faces Deion Jumah this weekend as he looks to leave the domestic scene behind and push towards bigger honours.
With Angel Fernandez in his corner, Riakporhe is trained by a vital member of Joshua’s team, and that means spending time around the former two-time heavyweight champion.
With Joshua’s fight still not confirmed, his time in the gym is not yet dedicated to a full training camp. Despite not committing himself to a full-time training schedule, ‘AJ’ is still ticking over, and Riakporhe is grateful to be able to pick the mind of one of British boxing’s most decorated fighters.
"It's been absolutely amazing," said Riakporhe when speaking Sky Sports.
"You have AJ in the camp, I get a lot of advice. He's spoken to me about things that he's been through and things that I have to watch out for. Seeing him and what he's achieved, having him around me, it's more motivational for me as well.
"We want to achieve at least half of what he's achieved and that keeps the hunger and energy, and he kind of feeds back off that at the same time because he sees us on the way up, and remembers those days when he was coming up, so wants to step up his game."