Boxer Richard Riakporhe prepares for fight against Krzysztof Twardowski

Loughborough-based boxer Richard Riakporhe has given a blunt prediction for his bout against Polish fighter Krzysztof Twardowski at Wembley Arena next month… “pain.”

Richard Riakporhe versus Krzysztof Twardowski at Wembley Arena on October 2

The 6’5” cruiserweight has been with the University’s Boxing Centre of Excellence since last year, after joining up with coach Angel Fernandez.

Now, the Riakporhe and Fernandez are preparing for eight-rounds against 25-year-old Twardowski (nine wins and two losses) on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Sven Elbir undercard, live on Sky Sports, on October 2.

“I know he’s going to feel a lot of pain,” says Riakporhe, 31, who remains undefeated in his 11 pro fights.

“I’m feeling good. I’m excited to get back in the ring.

“It’s been a while due to COVID, but we’re really happy and positive that we’re going to get a really good victory and put on a spectacle on October 2.”

Riakporhe is well into his eight-week training camp and sits on the side of the ring following a morning sparring session.

He is lean and talks excitedly about his future with Loughborough Sport and the Boxing Centre of Excellence.

“They have put an amazing team in place,” he says.

“We’re talking about nutritionist, we’re talking about analysts, we’re talking about strength and conditioning.

“All of them are top class and know exactly what they’re doing.

“They’ve done a hell of a job and I’ve got nothing but gratitude – and we’re here to stay for a long time.”

‌Credit: Ernest Simons

He has been working with a team of specialists including strength and conditioning coaches, physio, nutritionists, psychologists and performance analysists.

Heavyweight Dillion Whyte trained at Loughborough for three years and had a 100%-win record when he left in 2019, beating the likes of Lucas Browne, Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora.

“That’s one of the reasons why I really wanted to come and train here,” says Riakporhe. “Because I believe his best performances came out of this institution – and I know a lot of people who would agree with that.

“Being at this institution has really made me fulfil the best of my potential and I believe that when we include more things into our package things are going to improve.”

Loughborough-based athletes recently claimed 14 Olympic and 21 Paralympic medals in Tokyo.

Riakporhe says training in such an elite sporting environment has a huge impact on his motivation and confidence.

“Me and Angel will go to the gym and do some work and we’ll have Adam Peaty, we’ll have some of the rugby girls, we’ll have some Paralympians – this type of environment only breeds success.

“You look to the left and you have people who have achieved great things, you look to the right and you see the exact same thing.

“Then you look at yourself in the mirror and you think what have I done? I need to do more.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 21/206

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022, and 10th in both the Guardian University League Table 2022 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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