Jai Opetaia v Jordan Thompson

[Master]

ormer WBC cruiserweight world champion Bellew believes this opportunity has come too early in Riakporhe's career.

"I like Richard and he’s coming on nicely but this may be a step too far too soon!" Bellew said on Twitter.

"Opetaia is a very good fighter who can do a lot of things well!

"I’d of [sic] targeted another champion and maybe caught this one in another 12 months? Really brave decision from Richard."

https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1...d-title-fight/

[TIC]

this fight could happen on august twenty third in oz

[Master]

British cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe has vacated his position as mandatory challenger to Jai Opetaia's IBF title.

Purse bids for the world title fight were due to take place on Tuesday.

Riakporhe, 33, said he had previously accepted two fight offers to contest the belt.

"I missed out on other opportunities, which has left me inactive. It is clear other parties were simply trying to disrupt my journey, which I won't let happen," Riakporhe said.

"I have chosen to go a different route and will be sharing news of another world title opportunity very soon."

Londoner Riakporhe last fought in January when he stopped Krzysztof Glowacki in four rounds in Manchester and was made mandatory challenger to Opetaia's belt in July.

Opetaia has been out of action since July 2022, partly due to a shoulder injury, but signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom last month.

Riakporhe is aligned with Ben Shalom's Boxxer and a purse bid would have given both promoters the opportunity to bid to stage the fight.

Opetaia, 28, is unbeaten in 22 fights and won the IBF title in his last contest against Mairis Briedis.

Undefeated Riakporhe is ranked as number one contender with the WBO, a belt held by his British rival and former opponent Chris Billam-Smith.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/66437940

[TIC]

another guy ducking jai. mairis will step up again

[Master]

another guy ducking jai. mairis will step up again

Riakporhe beats Jai, there is no avoiding he wants a title to face the winner Smith/Okolie.

[TIC]

another guy ducking jai. mairis will step up again

Riakporhe beats Jai, there is no avoiding he wants a title to face the winner Smith/Okolie.

duck. jai beats richard. there is avoiding. team richard pulled out on the day of the purse bid

[TIC]

mairis is apparently out injured. jai is said to be making a voluntary defense against jordan thompson on september thirtieth