RICHARD RIAKPORHE just isn’t solely assured he can knock out Jai Opetaia however believes there could also be a fragility about the cruiserweight champion.
Opetaia received his IBF belt with one in all the most interesting performances in 2022. Thirteen months in the past, Mairis Breidis travelled Down Under to tackle the Australian challenger who overcame two jaw breaks to defeat the Latvian by unanimous determination.
The 27-year-old has been unable make a defence having wanted time to recuperate from the jaw accidents after which requiring shoulder surgical procedure in February. Throughout that interval the names of Chris Billam-Smith and Lawrence Okolie had been linked to a combat in opposition to the southpaw.
The shoulder downside allowed Opetaia a 60-day medical extension from the IBF forward of a compulsory defence which was to come back in opposition to Mateusz Masternak. News broke late final week that the Polish cruiser selected to withdraw from the contest permitting the subsequent accessible challenger Richard Riakporhe to step in. If the two events can not agree a deal by July 14, then the combat will go to purse bids.
“We have a goal and that’s to get the title by any means necessary. It doesn’t matter where it is,” Riakporhe instructed Boxing News just lately.
“If it’s over there then we just have to work strategically to make sure that we’re in the best situation so we can perform and that’s all it is.”
The 33-year-old, unbeaten in 16 fights, has demonstrated his world-class energy and formidable power in his final 4 fights all of which have been received inside the distance. Should Opetaia v Riakporhe come to fruition then questions will likely be requested about the Australian’s means to withstands the Briton’s punches given the accidents sustained in opposition to Briedis.
BN requested Riakporhe if he thought the champion could be cautious in opposition to him.
“I think it’s intelligent to be cautious,” he replied.
“I believe his coach would undoubtedly be cautious. For a jaw to break like that you don’t actually hear about accidents like that. Maybe his bones is likely to be rather less dense.
“I might see by the form of his face he may need mushy bones, however I don’t take into consideration that. I’m pondering of an ideal Jai Opetaia and able to carry out higher than he’s ever carried out earlier than.
“Me personally I know that you know once you break bones it’s never the same again, I know that for a fact. The worst thing you want to break is bones in your face because whether you take a shot in the same place or another place it might alter everything or everything may cave in.”
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