Richard Riakporhe has sparred Anthony Joshua and Chris Eubank Jr, but one fighter hit him much harder.
The ‘Midnight Train’ will touch gloves with domestic cruiserweight rival Chris Billam-Smith in a rematch for the WBO world title at Selhurst Park, the home of Premier League club Crystal Palace.
During his career, the British star has touched gloves with AJ in training back in October 2022 when he was expected to face Tyson Fury.
He also sparred former middleweight world champion Eubank Jr in 2021, but was on the receiving end of a tough session.
But Riakporhe insisted in an interview with talkSPORT.com, that it is actually Dillian Whyte who rocked him severely when the pair touched gloves in 2018.
“I would say Dillian Whyte hit me the hardest,” Riakporhe said.
“He hit me with a big shot with the lead hand, it was a type of uppercut.
“He has a lot of power in his lead hand, and I got hit with that and everything slowed down.
“My entire life slowed down, it was a weird feeling to say the last.
“AJ can bang as well I have taken a shot from him.”
Footage emerged of his sparring session with Eubank Jr, who was urged to stop by his father having dominated the session from the opening klaxon.
Whyte was preparing for an active year beating Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora and Lucas Browne in 2018, and Riakporhe was seen as a perfect partner to help the former world title challenger prepare.
