British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe has offered rival contender Johnny Fisher a title defense if Fisher defeats Belgium's Michael Pirotton in London on Saturday.
Fisher must first get past Pirotton when the Romford heavyweight headlines at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night, in a fight broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Riakporhe, a former world title challenger at cruiserweight, moved up to the heavyweight division last year and claimed the British championship by stopping Jeamie TKV in five rounds.
The London fighter wants to push on toward a world title attempt, but confirmed he would welcome defending his domestic crown against Fisher first.
Title offer and fan entertainment
"It would be good. I like Fisher. I remember after my match I actually offered them the opportunity to fight if they want," Riakporhe told Sky Sports.
"Why not give them the opportunity? Very respectful, likeable, and he's a big puncher himself as well and a strong guy, like an ox. So it would be good for the fans to see," he said.
Riakporhe added that he considers himself a dangerous opponent in the division. "I'm seen as a dangerous guy, top 10 in the world, [but] who knows? I'm actually a fan of Johnny Fisher as well and the Bosh family. I'm going to be watching and cheering him on at the weekend," he said.
Although Riakporhe has bigger fights in mind, he emphasized his commitment to delivering matches that appeal to boxing supporters.
"I've got my own plans and see myself competing at a higher level as well. But who knows? I'm always in the game to make a buck and to fight people that definitely want to fight. It's all about giving the fans what they want," Riakporhe said.
"Once you give the fans value for their money and show them what they want to see then you're always going to be in their good books and they deserve it. They deserve to be entertained," he added.
Background on the division and fighters
Riakporhe made his name in the cruiserweight weight class, which is capped at 200 pounds, before moving into the heavyweight division where there is no weight limit. His stoppage of Jeamie TKV earned him the British heavyweight title, a belt governed by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Fisher, known as the "Romford Bull", hails from Essex and has built a passionate following alongside his supporters, known as the Bosh family. The Copper Box Arena in Stratford, East London, which hosted events during the London 2012 Olympic Games, serves as the venue for Saturday's event.
World title ambitions and future targets
While open to a clash with Fisher, Riakporhe stressed that his ultimate focus remains on securing a world title opportunity against the top names in the division.
"I want one of those titles. I'm looking at the [Fabio] Wardley vs [Daniel] Dubois fight. I'm looking at what [Agit] Kabayel's doing and [Filip] Hrgovic, I'm looking at all of these guys and this is what I'm working towards ultimately," Riakporhe said.
"I'm training myself to compete for one of those belts. My eyes are just locked on to whatever's going to propel me to get one of those titles," he said.
The champion expressed full confidence in his own punching power as he targets the division's top fighters. "I know who I am, I know what I'm capable of. I just focus on getting the job done. I'm definitely arguably one of the heaviest hitters in the world. That's a fact," Riakporhe added.
Copper Box headline clash
Before any potential meeting with Riakporhe can take place, Fisher must handle business against Belgium's Michael Pirotton on Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena.
Fisher has expressed high ambitions of his own, stating that he feels two fights away from the big time and noting that he would be eager to face former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, calling him an absolute legend of the game.
The heavyweight clash between Johnny Fisher and Michael Pirotton takes place this Saturday at London's Copper Box Arena, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
