Full steam ahead for ‘The Midnight Train’ Richard Riakporhe as he returns to action at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, June 11, live and exclusive on Sky Sports, to take on Italy’s Fabio Turchi in an eliminator battle which will see the winner move up the cruiserweight rankings and in prime position to challenge reigning champion Maris Breidis later this year.
With Riakporhe (14-0, 10 KO’s) coming off a stunning knockout victory over Deion Jumah in March and former IBF International Cruiserweight champion Turchi (20-1, 14 KO’s) having a 66% stoppage rate in his victories, this fight matches two proven finishers and promises action from the very start as both men look to score the knockout which will move them on to world championship opportunity.
Bermondsey’s former WBO Global Welterweight Champion Chris Kongo (13-1-0, 7 KO’s) has a route back into world title contention if he defeats the tough German contender Sebastaian Formella (23-2-0, 11 KO’s) in their International showdown.
Kongo is raring to get back into pole position after winning his comeback fight against Kelvin Dotel in March following his close points loss to Michael McKinson last year. While Formella is looking for his own shot at the title and his only two losses have been against Former Champion Shawn Porter and Connor Benn, pushing both big hitters the distance.
Two of the very best young fighters in the UK, English Super-Middleweight Champion Germaine Brown (12-0, 3 KO’s) defends his title against challenger Zak Chelli (11-1-1, 6 KO’s) in an exciting trade fight.
The two Londoners will both be going into this fight totally confident of victory and certain to put on an eye-catching performance in a 50-50 fight which will delight the nation’s boxing fans and looks set to steal the show.
Also on the card, the long-awaited professional debut of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price MBE.
One of the most highly-touted amateurs in women’s boxing, Price earned the amateur sport’s supreme honour when she won gold last summer. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in recognition of this stunning success.
She now looks destined to reach the very highest level of the professional sport in the exciting and fast-moving world of women’s boxing, with the first step towards that greatness coming on June 11.
Cruiserweight star Viddal Riley (5-0-0, 2 KO’s) fights in his home city for the first time in his pro career. The Hackney sensation made his pro-debut in November 2018 with a first round KO of Julio Manuel Gonzalez in Mexico and has since fought in Las Vegas (twice) and Dubai.
Last time out he was on the huge Amir Khan-Kell Brook undercard in Manchester in February registering a six-round points win over Willbeforce Shihepo via a first round knockdown and aims to showcase his power and skill in front of the London fans.
“I’m ready to continue my assault on the cruiserweight division. The Midnight Train is on an unstoppable roll and Turchi is the next man tied to the tracks in front of me. He’s a good boxer and I’m expecting a tough fight but nothing I can’t handle. I’m coming out of this one with the win and stepping up into world title contention,” said Riakporhe.
“I am very happy to have this opportunity. Since I was a kid I always dreamed of fighting at the international level and in an important venue like this. I’m dedicating my body and soul to get into the best shape and have a great match against Riakporhe who I think is an excellent boxer,” said Turchi.
“Richard Riakporhe has been on an unstoppable rise to world title contention and now he’s potentially within touching distance of getting his shot at gold. Turchi is the former IBF International Champion and brings heavy firepower to the ring. This is Riakporhe’s toughest career challenge to date and a win here will make a strong statement about his potential to be world champion,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO.
“The English Super-Middleweight Title showdown between Zak Chelli and Germaine Brown is a fight which every boxing fan in the country will be glued to. It’s impressive that they are willing to fight each other at this stage and lay it all on the line. Don’t be surprised if this is a Fight Of The Year contender.
“Finally, the professional debut of Lauren Price. Olympic gold medalist, MBE – there aren’t many athletes in any sport who have those kind of credentials and we’re proud to be sharing her professional journey and being part of her rise to the top.”
Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said, “This is shaping up to be a fantastic card. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘The Midnight Train’ Riakporhe roll back into Wembley after that excellent win over Jumah. Another big test awaits as he faces the tough and classy Turchi.
“The fight between Chelli and Brown is a really good match. We’ve seen some absolutely cracking fights in the English title matches, those fights just seem to deliver incredible action, and this is a 50-50 pick ’em.
“I’m also really excited to see Lauren Price begin her professional journey. She was a standout amateur and achieved so much for the sport, everyone at Sky Sports is very proud to have her with us and we can’t wait to see her achieve equally huge things in the pro ranks.”
QUOTES FROM TODAY’S BOXXER OPEN WORKOUTS IN LONDON
Elite British boxing talent descended on Camden Boxing Club in London today for a range of Open Workouts ahead of the upcoming BOXXER: Riakporhe vs Turchi event taking place at the OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday June 11, live on Sky Sports.
The assembled boxers – including world cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe and English Middleweight Champion Germaine Brown, who defends against Zak Chelli, worked out for the assembled media and gave their thoughts afterwards.
Richard Riakporhe
faces Fabio Turchi in IBF Cruiserweight Championship Eliminator
“My camp to prepare for this fight has done me so much good. I think this is going to be the best performance of my career.”
“I’m going to win a contest of punching power, if that’s what it becomes.
“I just want to improve in every single way. At the gym we made a pact that we aim to improve every single performance, and we wanna give the fans what they want, they want to see a fight, they want to see knockdowns and knockouts. That’s what we train to do in the gym and that’s why people like to watch Richard Riakporhe.”
Viddal Riley:
Cruiserweight Prospect
“In the next 12 months I’d like to pick up a title. I don’t know which title yet.”
“Whenever I boxed in my last fight, I had the most success. Whenever I chased the knockout it got further away. So I’m just going to enjoy this fight, my first fight in London, my homecoming. And normally when I enjoy myself, a knockout follows.”
“The only pressure on me is the pressure I put on myself. I know my full potential, I didn’t show it in my last fight because of the two years I’d had out of the ring. But I’m back to it now, I’m ready.”
Zak Chelli
English Super-Middleweight Contender
“I’m a higher rank than him, I’ve fought better opponents than him, he’s fought nobody really.”
“I think I’ve got better power than him. People think I’m not a technical boxer, but the better the boxer the better I fight.”
“I don’t believe this goes 10 rounds. God willing I’ll knock him out.”
Germaine Brown
Defending English Super-Middleweight Champion
“It’s gonna come down to who wants it more. Me and the team have a game plan and we’re gonna stick to it. It might go the distance but he comes forward a lot, he might walk into something.”
Chris Kongo
faces Sebastian Formella in a Welterweight Contest
“I’m going to showcase everything I’ve been doing in the gym. All the drills I’ve been doing have been in my mind constantly. Watching videos of my opponent, watching videos of myself sparring. I make sure I watch it before I go to bed and when I wake up. When I’m at the gym I’m thinking about it constantly so I’m ready to perform now.”
“I believe I can stop anyone. If I put my mind to it, I believe I can get him out of there. The main thing I’m worried about is showcasing my skills. It’s not a big deal if I get the rounds in, that’ll be better for me.
“I’m just thinking about every single round what I’m going to do to him… I’m not thinking about anyone else other than Formella. That’s all I’ve been thinking about since the fight was announced.”
“I’m gonna make a big statement come June 11th. I speak it, I believe it, and I can’t wait to showcase it.”
Jeamie TKV:
Heavyweight
“I don’t feel pressure. Everyone has their own path, their own career. We’re all gonna get there at some point. We’re all gonna meet each other at some point. But I don’t feel any pressure, I feel like everyone has their own journey and this is my journey, how I wanna take it and how I wanna go is the way I’m gonna do it, so no pressure at all.”
“I’m just trying to entertain, I say it all the time. Not to say my last performance was a bad one but I just wanna put on an even better performance.”
Ebonie Jones:
Super-Bantamweight
“I don’t think the best of me has been seen at all yet. If I don’t perform well on June 11th then there’s nothing else I can do because I’ve trained so hard for this fight.”
“I want to show I can box. I’ve got a lot of skill and I don’t think that’s been shown completely yet”
“Obviously the aim is to get a world title, so I’ll fight whoever’s in the way for that”
Shannon Ryan:
Super-Flyweight
“Ever since I was five years old, I’ve known I was born to be on a stage and I believe I’m good enough to be here. I don’t have the boxing accolades or the amateur background but I’m someone showing you can do this no matter what background you’re from.
“I’m just so focused and dedicated to get myself to the top of my division. So the nerves are there, I can’t deny that, but this is what I love to do. I want to inspire younger people that no matter what you do, not just in sport but in life, if you put your focus to it and your mind to it you can achieve what you want.”
Tickets are on sale from 12pm midday tomorrow, Wednesday May 4 via BOXXER.com priced at £250, £150, £100, £75, £60 and £40.
BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, Wow Hydrate and Village Hotels.
