Richard Riakporhe v Fabio Turchi preview: Riakporhe puts unbeaten record on the line

The undefeated Richard Riakporhe fights for a shot at the IBF cruiser-weight world title but Fabio Turchi, who will be going for the 15th knockout of his career, stands in his way.

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The Midnight train yet to be derailed

London born Richard Riakporhe has yet to be defeated in his professional boxing career having convincingly worked his way up to within one fight of an IBF world title bout. A win against Fabio Turchi on June 11, will put him first in line to take on world cruiserweight champion, Mairis Briedis.

Going by the alias ‘The Midnight Train’, Riakporhe boasts an incredibly powerful punch and has claimed 10 knockouts in his career so far. He goes into the fight ranked seventh in the world by the WBC and 11th by the WBO and will be looking to boost those rankings, continuing his skyward momentum with a win over Turchi.

His last fight was in March, so compared to Turchi who was last in a 12-round fight over a year ago, he will be well warmed up going into the bout at Wembley.

He boasts a 71-percent knockout ratio and has floored some big names dealing two knockouts at Wembley Arena over Deion Jumah and Olanrewaju Durodola. He is heavy favourite at 1/8 to win on Saturday.

Riakporhe took his 14th win in brutal fashion, knocking out Deoin Jumah in the eighth round of their fight in in London in March. According to the man himself, he is on an unstoppable roll and though Turchi is a top boxer, he looks well capable of getting the job done. A win is expected, which would put him into contention for the world title.

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Turchi’s hands of stone looking to crush their next victim

Fabio Turchi aka ‘The Stone Crusher’, has knocked out 14 opponents and has won 20 of his 21 fights.

With his extreme power and 70-percent knockout rate, he will be Riakporhe’s toughest adversary so far even though he hasn’t fought in a 12-round fight in over a year.

Standing at 6’2” tall, the Italian has a reach of 70” that has stopped 15 opponents before the seventh round. His key attributes though are his lightning quick speed and ability to rattle an opponent from the first bell. Riakporhe will have the height and reach advantage but Turchi’s speed and agility from his lighter weight and size, will give him superiority on the ropes when close and personal with Riakporhe.

His last fight ended in incredible fashion when he knocked out Serbian opponent Vukasin Obradovic in the first round with a technical knockout, a feat he may struggle to pull off against the physicality of Riakporhe.

He had a flawless record until his fight with Tommy McCarthy, which he only lost on split decision, one he heavily contested at the time. He is the underdog at 9/2 but is undoubtably a dangerous opponent for Riakporhe, with an arsenal of firepower he will be looking to unleash at Wembley.

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