Lawrence Okolie scraps with Richard Riakporhe at Creed III premiere with boxers held back by pals in incredible scenes
BRITISH cruiserweights Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakphore almost came to blows at the Creed III premiere.
The pair were two of several big names to hit the red carpet at Cineworld Leicester Square on Wednesday night for the early screening of the Hollywood movie.
But they almost gave attendees a real fight to watch after clashing at the snack stand at the concourse.
A fired-up Riakphore twice lunged at the WBO cruiserweight champion as he was being held back by a mystery man.
Okolie, who was holding his jacket in one hand, managed to frame off the advancing Riakphore and create space.
Boxing pundit and podcaster Spencer Fearon ended up keeping the peace, holding Okolie back from his fellow Brit.
He shouted: “Stop, stop, stop! Stop this. Not here, man.”
The pair’s clash comes just under a week after the pair did a joint interview, in which they were both cordial when talking about the prospect of facing one another.
When pressed on the fight, Okolie told Sky Sports: “Don’t say my name ’til you actually want to fight.
“It’s as easy as this. I will fight that man any time. Any time.
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“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.”
The pair’s promoter, BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, is open to making the fight later this year, telling talkSPORT: “[Riakporhe] is going to fight for a world title.
“He’s going to fight Lawrence Okolie in one of the biggest fights, not just in this country, but in the world cruiserweight division.
“They both want to move up to heavyweight. It’s a massive year.
“I think we’re going to watch Lawrence Okolie go and unify and win more world titles.
“I think we’re going to see Richard Riakporhe win his first world title and then I think we’re going to see them meet at the end of the year.”