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Boxing

Is Richard Riakporhe ready for Lawrence Okolie?

Is Richard Riakporhe ready for Lawrence Okolie?DAZN
The DAZN Boxing Show discussed whether Richard Riakporhe is ready to face the WBO world cruiserweight champion.

Richard Riakporhe got his 14th professional win on Saturday night when he stopped Deion Jumah in the eighth round at London's Wembley Arena. 

Now there are some calling for Riakporhe to face WBO world cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie in all-British affair.

But is the 32-year-old Riakporhe ready to face one of Britain's biggest boxing stars?

"Not anytime soon, Lawrence Okolie is a big level above this domestic scene." Tony Bellew told Ade Oladipo on The DAZN Boxing Show

"He’s defeated brilliant international names, former world champions. He’s defeated a current world champion.

"He’s beat good fighters, Ade. Lawrence Okolie is the best cruiserweight in the country by a considerable amount, he really is. No one is close to him."

Instead of challenging for a world title, Bellew thinks Riakporhe should face European and Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith for a second time. Riakporhe is the only fighter to beat Billam-Smith in his 15-fight career. 

"Richard Riakporhe I feel is still at that Chris Billam-Smith level," Bellew claimed.

"I think him and Chris Billam-Smith makes great sense in a rematch because Chris Billam-Smith has gone from strength to strength.

"I think what people are drawn to is that it’s London-London, people want to see derbies, a local rivalry, I think that’s what people are drawing to more."

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