Richard Riakporhe set to make heavyweight debut on Canelo v Scull undercard this weekend

Richard Riakporhe is set to be given the green light to make his long-awaited heavyweight debut on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez v William Scull in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

The 35-year-old hasn't fought since succumbing to defeat at the hands of former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith last June.

Riakporhe had hoped to establish himself as world champion in the 200lbs division at Selhurst Park, the home of his beloved Crystal Palace, but struggled to assert himself on the fight, subsequently coming up short on points.

Despite that loss however, the Londoner still clearly fancies his chances in the stacked heavyweight division, and appears primed to make his blue-riband division bow in Riyadh in just a few days time.

Speaking to Boxing News, BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom confirmed that the wheels are on motion for his fighter to feature as part of the undercard for the upcoming undisputed super-middleweight showdown between Mexican superstar Canelo and Skull.

We’re hoping he’s going to be on the Canelo card, just in a return fight - his first fight at heavyweight.

"Obviously he was meant to fight Lawrence [Okolie] a few weeks ago, and that got cancelled, so we want to make sure he gets a fight."

Riakporhe was scheduled to tackle two-weight world champion Lawrence Okolie earlier this month in a bout that would have represented a first venture into the heavyweight division for the pair.

However, a shoulder injury sustained by the Queensberry star forced the fight to be cancelled and left Riakporhe without an opponent, and, in turn, no return date on the calendar.

But it now appears as though Shalom could have worked a late bit of magic to finally hand his prized-fighter a long-awaited return to action - although, at the time of writing no opponent has been named.

Mark Mothershaw

• Riyadh Season
• BOXXER
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