By David Finger
Heavyweight contender Richard Riakporhe (234.1) made a statement as he captured the British heavyweight title from Jeamie Tshikeva (262.7). Riakporhe scored a fifth-round TKO.
Tshikeva won the belt with a razor-thin split decision over Frazer Clarke back in November, but despite walking into the ring as champion, he was still the underdog against the former cruiserweight Riakporhe.
If there were thoughts that Tshikeva might find lightning in a bottle a second time, that hope was dealt a blow when he was badly rattled by a jab and uppercut from Riakporhe halfway through the opening round. If not for a tackle that sent both men to the canvas, Tshikeva would have almost certainly hit the canvas. Although the champion survived the round, it became clear in round two that he had no answer for Riakporhe’s jab, and he was left trying to turn the fight into a sloppy wrestling match in an attempt to frustrate Riakporhe and take him out of his game plan.
The ugly performance from Tshikeva angered referee Lee Every to the point that he docked a point from the champion in round four for a headbutt. The attempt to take Riakporhe into the later rounds with roughhouse tactics came to an end in round five when a clubbing overhand right sent Tshikeva to the canvas a minute into the round. The champion tried to clinch his way out of trouble, but Riakporhe simply threw him to the canvas and, after the action resumed, unloaded on Tshikeva. Referee Every elected to wave off the fight at 2:12, giving the challenger the title and a knockout victory. Riakporhe’s record improves to 20–1 (16 KOs), while Tshikeva’s falls to 9–2 (5 KOs).
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