Sussex World Morning Update Friday 7 November, 2025
Shoreham heavyweight and Brighton and Hove Albion fan Tommy Welch has thrown down the gauntlet to his opponent Richard Riakporhe a week before they meet at White Hart Lane on the Eubank/Benn undercard.
“I’m looking forward to taking him on at The Lane, Saturday week, but has he got the b**** to face off with me on the pitch this Sunday at Selhurst Park, before Brighton take on Palace?” said Welch.
Riakpohre, a Selhurst Park season ticket holder, and a fighter who has previously fought for the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship at the home of his favorite football team, represents the biggest test in Welch’s career when they meet in North London next weekend.
Welch’s father, and trainer, former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Scott, told Sussexworld: “It’s been Tommy’s most intense camp in his career. Don’t get me wrong, he’s virtually been in a training camp all his life with me as his dad, but this is a great opportunity to take him to the next level.
Richard Riakporhe lands an upper cut on Chris Billam-Smith during their WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight at Selhurst Park in 2024 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)placeholder image
Richard Riakporhe lands an upper cut on Chris Billam-Smith during their WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight at Selhurst Park in 2024 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
“We were initially talking to Chris Eubank Junior about being on the undercard at Tottenham anyway, but then when they put Riakpohre’s name into the mix, we jumped at the chance.
“He’s fought at the level that we want to be at, and we know victory at Spurs will see Tommy finally knocking on the door.”
Just how Riakpohre will react to Welch’s challenge 48 hours before the hugely anticipated ‘M23 Derby remains to be seen, though given the cauldron-like atmosphere every Palace vs Brighton game creates, it’s probably more likely to be the Metropolitan Police who will rule against it.
Eubank vs Benn at The Tottenham Stadium is live on DAZN and Amazon Prime on Saturday 15th November 2025
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