Richard Riakporhe set to make comeback in Unconventional Location and Weight Class

Richard Riakporhe, the London-born cruiserweight contender, is ready to make his highly anticipated return to the ring after suffering his first professional defeat earlier this year. On December 7, 2024, Riakporhe will face fellow Briton David Jamieson in an unexpected location – Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This fight will take place on an exciting undercard featuring the WBC welterweight eliminator between Souleymane Cissokho and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.

Riakporhe’s road to redemption after World Title setback

Known as “The Midnight Train”, Richard Riakporhe was on a hot streak heading into his WBO cruiserweight world title bid against Chris Billam-Smith in June 2024. With an impressive knockout streak—highlighted by his dominant win over former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki—Riakporhe entered the fight as a heavy favorite. However, Billam-Smith pulled off an upset, winning a unanimous decision and retaining his WBO title in front of a passionate crowd at Selhurst Park, the stadium of Riakporhe’s beloved Crystal Palace FC.

This loss raised questions about Riakporhe’s ability to succeed at the world championship level. In response, Riakporhe made a bold move to part ways with his trainer Angel Fernandez and bring in Billy Nelson, the well-respected Scottish coach. Nelson is known for his work with heavyweight Martin Bakole, and this partnership marks a new chapter for Riakporhe as he seeks to refine his skills and bounce back stronger than ever.

A new challenge in an unconventional weight class

For his comeback, Riakporhe has chosen to fight in the bridgerweight division, a weight class between cruiserweight and heavyweight. He will face David Jamieson, a 32-year-old British fighter with a record of 12 wins, 3 losses, and 9 knockouts. Although Jamieson has had his struggles—losing to Mikael Lawal for the British cruiserweight title in 2022 and suffering a defeat to Cheavon Clarke in 2023—he has rebounded with two wins and looks to make his mark in this matchup.

This all-British bout will take place in Equatorial Guinea, an unlikely location for a high-profile boxing match. The fight will be part of a Boxium Promotions card at the Sipopo Congress Center in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, marking the first time a major boxing event has been held there.

Exciting undercard and the impact of the location

The December 7th event in Malabo will be headlined by the WBC welterweight eliminator between Souleymane Cissokho and Egidijus Kavaliauskas, adding to the excitement of this international boxing event. The undercard also features other talented fighters, including Kyle Lomotey, a Scottish boxer, who will face undefeated American prospect Amari Jones in a junior middleweight contest.

Conclusion – Fresh start for Riakporhe

Richard Riakporhe’s decision to fight in a unique location and weight class signals a fresh start after his world title loss. With a new coach and a shift in division, the Londoner is eager to prove that he can still compete at the highest level. The December 7th fight in Malabo will be a crucial test for Riakporhe as he aims to rebuild his career and set himself up for future world title opportunities.

This comeback could very well determine whether Riakporhe still has what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the sport or if his journey toward a world title is over. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely as the Midnight Train looks to regain his momentum.