Next month, Fabio Wardley defends his WBO heavyweight title in an all-British battle against Daniel Dubois, and there is another countryman waiting in the wings, hoping to secure a title shot against the victor.
Wardley was elevated to WBO heavyweight world champion shortly after knocking out Joseph Parker to claim the interim belt, with Oleksandr Usyk opting to vacate his world title rather than take on the Ipswich fan-favourite.
However, despite initially opting against the fight, Usyk has named a clash against the triumphant of Wardley-Dubois on his three-fight plan. Although, a third fight with Dubois is unlikely to whet the appetite of fight fans after the Ukrainian’s two stoppage wins over ‘Triple D’.
Should Usyk deviate from that plan, two-weight British champion Richard Riakporhe has revealed his intentions of challenging for the WBO world title, after his Lonsdale Belt win against Jeamie Tshikva, and he may be selected for another domestic dust-up.
Speaking on the Toe2Toe Podcast, ‘The Midnight Train’ doubled down on the callout, bidding to ‘right the wrongs’ of his unsuccessful challenge for the WBO cruiserweight world title back in 2024.
“I would love to right my wrongs. I tried to compete for the world title at cruiserweight, I wasn’t able to get the decision that I wanted and I just know that I can do it. I just need another chance at the title.
“I need to get the world title for me to be like ‘I have done all that I needed to do, in boxing’. I know that it is going to come, very soon. I am taking the right steps, I am improving, I am performing better. So it’s just a matter of time for me, wherever the shot comes from.
“I am just letting people know that I am here and this is the fights that I want to be involved in – the biggest fights, against British fighters, as well.
“It is great because everybody is Britain is pretty much at the top of the list when it comes to heavyweight boxing. So, everybody is coming here to compete with us. Just know, that I put my name out there now, as a proper contender, and a very dangerous one at that.”
Wardley and Dubois headline the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday, May 9, in what many believe to be one of the most intriguing contests on the upcoming boxing calendar.