Boxing
Richard Riakporhe prays for Jeamie TKV ahead of his British title fight
Published
4 months agoon
Since moving up to heavyweight, Richard Riakporhe has become acutely aware of the immense power he now possesses in each of his fists.
He was obviously a devastating cruiserweight puncher, except now he had an extra 30 pounds left that could be used to generate the force needed for a dramatic finish.
Combining this with his natural speed, Riakporhe began to almost fear the devastating effect his punches might have on future opponents.
In fact, before he defeated Tommy Welch in his last outing, “The Midnight Train” predicted the outcome would be much worse than just a second-round stoppage.
In an interview with Boxing News, he recalled his outstanding performance last November, while expressing concern for the safety of his opponents.
“I definitely feel a lot more powerful. Once you have more weight on you and start shooting, it’s going to have a much bigger impact.
“That’s why when I prepare for a fight, I always pray for my opponents, I don’t want to be in a situation where sedate damage will be done.
“Before my last fight, I had a dream that I did sedate damage to my opponent, so I was joyful that he left the ring in one piece.
“I know what I’m doing in the gym; I know what I’m capable of. That’s why you see me serene and focused during these processes.”
Following this pattern, the next person Riakporhe needs to pray for will be Jeamie TKV, whom he will face on April 11 in the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov match.
But while he appreciates his knockout power, the Londoner ultimately believes his speed is a key advantage over heavyweights like TKV.
“[Speed is] everything that I really focus on. The other day I was sparring with Pat Brown, who is a super rapid cruiserweight, so being able to compete with him gives me more and more confidence.
“I always tell people that it’s good to have power, but power is overrated. Speed and timing are everything.
“When you’re fighting someone rapid and you can’t do anything to counter them or respond, you almost feel like you’re disabled; it’s like you’re disabled.”
Since moving to Scotland, where he trains with head coach Billy Nelson, Riakporhe has noticed a few differences from his previous setup in Loughborough.
More specifically, there is less emphasis on video analysis and a more old-school vibe to his camps, encouraging him to make changes on the fly.
“Once you understand how to adapt, you can handle most things. For me, it’s not complicated.
“A lot of people these days are using video analytics and waiting [for their opponent to throw] one type of shot so they can react and respond to it.
“What if they’re waiting for the shot and it never comes? That’s why I like the old-school vibe: I just go in there and deal with what’s in front of you.”
In front of Riakporhe at the London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium there will be a TKVwho won the British title in November with a split decision victory over Frazer Clarke.
Riakporhe, who previously held the Lonsdale 200-pound belt, is looking forward to repeating his success in the land of giants.
“I can add something else to my legacy: becoming a two-time British champion. That’s certainly something to complain about and admire.”
While TKV represents a powerful opponent, Riakporhe is also confident that Clarke, his former stablemate, would have beaten the 32-year-old were it not for his apparent lack of top-level preparation.
“I feel like Frazer would have done a lot better if he hadn’t had some issues in camp, but even though he was fighting a completely different game plan [to what he should have]it was still a very close decision.
“So I see [TKV] as the next opponent in the history of Riakporhe. He’s a tough opponent and shouldn’t be underestimated, but what matters is how Riakporhe deals with him.”
Heavyweight Riakporhe is just one win away from getting a gigantic shot, but first he must become a two-time British champion against TKV this Saturday.
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Boxing
Pierce OLeary vs. Mark Chamberlain Live Results: Updates and Highlights
Published
2 days agoon
August 1, 2026
LIVE COVERAGE
World Boxing News provides live results and updates from Dublin as Pierce O’Leary faces Mark Chamberlain at super lightweight.
Queensberry Promotions returns to the 3Arena with an action-packed card headed by the unbeaten Irish star O’Leary, who meets former British champion Chamberlain in the main event.
The undercard also features Gary Cully, Reece Bellotti, Sean McComb, Steven Cairns, Ben Fail and several unbeaten Irish prospects.
Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain Results
Times are Local – IST
17:46
Gary Cully stopped Lee Reeves in the tenth round to improve to 20-2.
Cully overcame a fifth-round point deduction for repeatedly losing his gumshield before dropping Reeves twice in the final round to force the stoppage.
The victory marked Cully’s 11th knockout win as a professional.
17:01
Sean McComb returned with a comfortable six-round points victory over Miguel Antin.
McComb won every round on the referee’s scorecard, claiming a 60-54 decision to improve his record to 22-2.
16:31
Machlan Arthur improved to 2-0 with his second straight knockout by stopping Ryan Frost in the fourth round.
Arthur dropped Frost twice in the final session before the referee waved the contest off at 1:05 of round four.
Remaining Bouts
• Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – IBO World Super Lightweight Title (12)
• Royston Barney-Smith vs Reece Bellotti – Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title (10)
• Gary Cully vs Lee Reeves – Super Lightweight (10)
• Steven Cairns vs Senan Kelly – Super Lightweight (10)
• Ben Fail vs Craig O’Brien – Super Welterweight (10)
• Bobbi Flood vs Tariq Davis – Super Welterweight (6)
• Adam Olaniyan vs Jonathan Claudio Sauco – Heavyweight (4)
• John Joe Carrigan vs Sean Murray – Super Welterweight (4)
• Sami Hamed vs Bela Istvan Orban – Super Welterweight (4)

Preview
Pierce O’Leary tops a major night of boxing in Dublin as the unbeaten Irishman takes on Mark Chamberlain for the IBO World super lightweight title.
O’Leary enters the contest looking to continue his rise through the rankings against the experienced Chamberlain, who aims to return to winning ways after a draw in his third outing since suffering the lone defeat of his professional career.
The chief support sees Royston Barney-Smith meet Reece Bellotti for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title.
Gary Cully also returns in an intriguing domestic clash with fellow unbeaten Irishman Lee Reeves, while Steven Cairns faces Senan Kelly in another all-Irish encounter.
Sean McComb, Ben Fail, Bobbi Flood, Adam Olaniyan, Machlan Arthur, John Joe Carrigan and Sami Hamed also feature on the Queensberry Promotions card.
Updates will be added below as the action unfolds in Dublin, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
Boxing
Barry McGuigan: Ryan Garcia Faces a Dangerman in Conor Benn at 147 lbs
Published
2 days agoon
August 1, 2026
Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan has named one half of the main event between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn as the “dangerman” at 147lbs.
The two welterweights will collide at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12, with Garcia making a first defence of his WBC world title.
He claimed the belt by dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory in February, which followed his surprising points loss to Rolando Romero in May 2025.
Interestingly enough, this defeat came shortly after his year-long doping ban, which he served on account of testing positive for ostarine ahead of his majority decision victory over Devin Haney.
The result of their showdown was then ruled a no-contest, with Garcia subsequently moving up to welterweight after failing to keep below the 140lb limit.
It now seems the 27-year-old is competing at a more natural weight while Benn, who tested positive for clomifene in 2022, has not made 147lbs since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden that same year.
Speaking with talkSPORTIrish boxing icon McGuigan suggested that this – as well as the 29-year-old’s technical flaws – could prove a major factor against Garcia.
“[Benn’s] got that genetic code from his dad, and he’s got that explosiveness and everything else. But he is predictable – you can see when he’s going to throw.
“You ask yourself: is Garcia just a little bit too sharp for him? A little bit too cute. I think Garcia’s finally found the weight he’s most suitable [for]. I think he’s a dangerman at 147[lbs].
“Maybe Conor Benn has left it a little too late to make 147[lbs] again. I think that could be his Achilles’ heel. I make Garcia a slight favourite but would never write off Conor Benn – he’s got that fighting heart.”
Benn comes off a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis in April, which followed his two middleweight encounters with Chris Eubank Jr last year.
Boxing
Devin Haney Updates Fight Strategy After Keyshawn Davis Withdraws from Title Shot
Published
2 days agoon
August 1, 2026
Devin Haney’s immediate future has been thrown into uncertainty after Keyshawn Davis pulled out of their mandated contest on Friday.
The pair had been ordered to collide for Haney’s WBO world title, with Davis having been named as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger at 147lbs.
Multiple reports then suggested that the 27-year-old was offered $3m by Top Rank, his promoter, only for ‘The Businessman’ to reject what would have been a career-high payday.
Subsequently, their bout went to a purse bit hearing, where Top Rank trumped Teofimo Lopez’s Takeover Promotions with a sum of $8,550,000.
This therefore gave Bob Arum’s outfit the promotional rights and, as per the usual 75/25 split in favour of the defending champion, Davis would have been entitled to a share of $2,137,500.
Since Thursday’s auction, though, Davis has excluded himself from the fight and left Haney without an obvious opponent for his first welterweight title defence.
Taking to social mediaWBO president Gustavo Olivieri explained that his organisation must now provide their champion with a solution.
“The WBO hereby confirms receipt of written notice from counsel on behalf of Keyshawn Davis advising that he will NOT accept the 25% purse split adjudicated pursuant to the official WBO purse bid proceedings and, accordingly, will NOT participate in the WBO welterweight mandatory championship contest against Devin Haney.
“In light of the foregoing, the WBO Championship Committee and Ratings Committee will convene to proceed in accordance with the WBO world championship rules and regulations. The applicable ruling will be rendered and published in due course.”
Re: WBO Welterweight Participant Keyshawn Davis
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) hereby confirms receipt of written notice from counsel on behalf of Mr. Keyshawn Davis advising that he will NOT accept the 25% purse split adjudicated pursuant to the official WBO purse bid…
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) July 31, 2026
At this stage, it remains to be seen whether Haney will be immediately ordered to face a new mandatory challenger or, given the situation, have the opportunity to make a voluntary defence.
Either way, the 27-year-old has not fought since dethroning Brian Norman Jr in November and is surely eager to return to action.
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