Crusierweight world title contender, Richard Riakporhe, believes that Anthony Joshua is going to shock the world if his rumoured fight with Tyson Fury finally takes place in December.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the 32-year-old spoke of his surprise at the hunger Joshua returned to the gym with – just a week or so since losing again to Usyk.
“There is an intense look in his eyes these days, he seems really hungry, like really hungry. It’s astonishing for me to see, because of what this man has achieved so far, for him to come back into the gym just a week or two after the fight, being ready to go again and accepting another tough fight. It shows what type of man he is and what type of cloth he is cut from.”
‘The Midnight Train’ also told of the sparring sessions that he has had with the former WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion upon his return to training. Again, Riakporhe was taken back by the work ethic of Joshua so soon after suffering a heartbreaking defeat.
“We sparred some heavy, heavy rounds, the public would have paid to see it. It was all guns blazing, nobody holding back. After we finished, I was shattered, he jumped straight back in the ring and started shadowboxing. You can see that intense focus in his body language and in his eyes.”
This is what has convinced the British Cruiserweight that ‘AJ’ has the motivation and determination to win a heavyweight title once again.
“He’s going to be very successful because he’s seen improvements from the first Usyk fight and the second.
Eventually he’s going to come away with a big win and it’s going to shock the world in my opinion.”
Whilst Joshua eyes up one of the biggest fights in British history, Riakporhe has belts of his own to be focussed on. He and promoter, Ben Shalom, seem confident that he will challenge for a world title in his next fight, potentially with Australia’s IBF champion Jai Opetaia.