Richard Riakporhe extended his record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts, with a violent fourth-round stoppage over Tommy McCarthy.
It was McCarthy who took the offensive initiative first, showcasing superior hand speed and good combinations to the body, as a cagey Riakporhe initially struggled to find range with his lead left hand.
However, Riakporhe was able to fire back more consistently in subsequent rounds and maintained a distinct composure to rival McCarthy’s experience and early success in the fight.
Riakporhe appeared to be markedly more mobile and patient than he was in his previous contest against Sam Hyde, and began to assert himself in the jab exchanges before claiming the centre of the ring and briefly stunning McCarthy towards the end of third with a powerful left hook, a harbinger of things to come in the following round.
McCarthy was caught with a venomous right hand and was twice bundled to the canvas, before being pummelled mercilessly into submission after being caught with a spiteful series of follow-up punches from Riakporhe to end the fight.
Anthony Sims Jr produced a dazzling display with a sixth round stoppage of Argentine veteran Mateo Damian Veron.
In his second professional fight on UK shores and as a super-middleweight, the disparity in skills was apparent from the outset as the Magician – a cousin of Floyd Mayweather Jr – stalked Veron patiently, varying up a sharp, snappy left jab and showcasing impressive head movement.
Throughout the next couple of rounds the American contender incrementally upped the pressure as he exquisitely peppered Veron with combinations, remaining unperturbed in the face if Veron’s consistent spoiling and questionable tactics, before uncorking a stunning right hand in the sixth to score a knockdown.
Sims – a former amateur standout – was then merciless, battering his opponent with the same kind of heavy leather that has seen him knock out all but one of his opponents, something which prompted the referee’s timely intervention.
Leigh Wood also made light work of Abraham Bonsu to capture the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title.
The Nottingham native started fast and found the necessary openings in the second round, dropping his opponent twice with spiteful body work before Howard Foster decided to save the Ghanaian from any further punishment.
Article by: Navi Singh