‘I was stabbed at 15 and nearly died but now I'm destined for boxing stardom'
EXCLUSIVE: Richard Riakporhe had a close shave with death which changed his outlook on life.
www.express.co.ukHere’s the latest I can confirm based on recent reporting:
- Riakporhe has discussed his past stabbing and the scar as a defining part of his life story, including how he turned to boxing to escape a dangerous environment. Specific articles from 2022 and 2024 highlight the physical scar and the life-changing turning point it represents for him.[1][3][4]
- In 2025 there were reports that a planned bout with Lawrence Okolie was postponed due to Okolie’s injury, with Riakporhe continuing to train and spar ahead of potential future matches.[2]
- Coverage from Crystal Palace FC’s fan-facing feature and related Boxing media reiterate Riakporhe’s narrative of overcoming knife crime and using his platform to deter youth from following similar paths.[5][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current updates (dates, opponents, and results) and summarize them in a quick timeline. I can also build a short reference list with direct quotes from these sources.