Popcorn, anyone? World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie and domestic rival Richard Riakporhe are PULLED APART after clashing at the Creed III London premiere… as the pair eye an all-British showdown later this year
Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe could fight each other later this year
They almost came to blows outside the ring at the Creed III London premiere
The two men were pulled apart by their entourages outside the screening
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Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe had to be pulled apart after almost coming to blows on Wednesday night.
The pair were in town for the London premiere of Creed III but there were scenes from a real life Rocky movie when they clashed in the foyer area outside the screening.
With stunned customers looking on, Riakporhe was seen pushing Okolie backwards and both men appeared ready to throw punches, only for their respective entourages to break up the fight before it got underway.
Having nearly collided on Wednesday night, fans could get to see the real thing in the ring later this year, and there is likely to be a world title on the line.
Okolie is the current WBO cruiserweight champion, with the undefeated 30-year-old defending his belt twice since winning it in March 2021.
Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe almost came to blows at the Creed III premiere
Okolie, pictured here at the premiere in London on Wednesday, returns to the ring next month
British rival Riakporhe was also pictured arriving at the premiere earlier in the evening
He is set to end his year-long absence from the ring when he faces mandatory challenger David Light in London next month.
Should he get past the New Zealander, a domestic showdown with Riakporhe could await.
Riakporhe moved to 16-0 as a professional after winning his latest bout against former world titlist Krzysztof Glowacki inside four rounds in January.
After that victory, the 33-year-old insisted he is ready to challenge for world honours, hinting at a future clash with Okolie.
The latter cast doubt over those claims, but made it clear that he is ready to fight his fellow Brit whenever he wants to step up.
‘Don’t say my name ’til you actually want to fight,’ Okolie told Riakporhe on Sky Sports.
‘It’s as easy as this. I will fight that man any time. Any time. Then it’s done. You’ve got a world champion who doesn’t need to – Richard’s not my mandatory. But, he’s in my country saying he’s the best? See you soon.’
Source of data and images: dailymail
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Popcorn, anyone? World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie and domestic rival Richard Riakporhe are PULLED APART after clashing at the Creed III London premiere… as the pair eye an all-British showdown later this year Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe could fight each other later this year They almost came to blows outside the ring at the …
The post Cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie and his domestic rival Richard Riakporhe are PULLED APART first appeared on Elrisala. Sports – Elrisala
