Lawrence Okolie open to title defence against Riakporhe

WBO cruiserweight champion Nigeria born Lawrence Okolie 18-0 (14) is open to defending his belt against fellow Brit Richard Riakporhe 16-0 (12).

The 33-year-old Riakporhe is fresh off a fourth-round knockout of Krzysztof Glowacki 32-4 (20) at the AO Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday night. That result compares favourably to Okolie’s title winning effort against the Polish southpaw two years ago that ended in the sixth.

Riakporhe, who was ranked number 12 by the WBO when he took on number six Glowacki, will have to wait for his turn at Okolie who is scheduled to face crafty mandatory contender David Light 20-0 (12) of New Zealand on March 11.

“I’m number one,” the 30-year-old Okolie told Sky Sports News. “Richard’s someone who’s not scared, he’s not afraid. He doesn’t look at me and say: ‘Lawrence is unbeatable’. He believes in himself, in his skills, in his training.

“But unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to be enough the day me and him fight each other. But that’s my opinion and the only way to find that out is to actually get in the ring and make it happen.”

Okolie and Riakporhe appeared on Sky Sports News on Tuesday to discuss a potential bout.

“I believe I’m number one. I’ve always believed it deep within me and [fighting Okolie] will be a good chance for me to prove it,” Riakporhe said.

“As long as the business is right, it would be great to have another title [on the line in the fight] as well. Because we can make a big unification fight.”

Okolie replied: “I respect every fighter. I respect the skills that he’s got. But as soon as someone says they want what you have – your belt, your name, to knock you out – as soon as I hear someone say my name, as my track record shows, I’m ready to go.

“Champions should fight champions and then contenders should be dying to fight champions. That’s the energy that I’m on and I’ve been on it.

“That’s why I’m a level above. I’m able to say: ‘Forget all this other stuff. I just want smoke’.

“When I was coming up looking for a world title, my energy was never: ‘Oh, if the price was right. Oh, if the business is good.’ It’s just I want to fight.

“Don’t say: ‘I’m a fighter if the business makes sense’.”

Okolie continued: “I want to hear an official call out right now from Richard, if he’s up for it. Because I didn’t feel the one that he did the other day. I want to believe him right now. So that when I’m going to training I’m thinking, ‘After I beat my mandatory, that’s one we can make next if none of the other champions want a unification.'”

Riakporhe replied: “We can make it happen for sure. You know me, Lawrence. I’m a fighter and that’s what I do. I was born to fight so we can make it happen this year. If you’re on it, I’m on it.

“Let’s just make it happen this year. Simple.”