Richard Riakporhe will make his heavyweight debut on the Fatal Fury event headlined by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s Riyadh debut on Saturday night, live on DAZN PPV.

Mexican icon Canelo, who is the Ring Magazine champion, puts his WBC, WBO and WBA belts on the line against undefeated IBF champion William Scull in a super-middleweight undisputed clash at the ANB Arena.

And in a late addition to the card, 17-1 (13) Riakporhe will now fight in an eight-rounder in his first outing at heavyweight.

The 35-year-old was supposed to take on Lawrence Okolie in Manchester on April 5 but the fight was cancelled after his London rival withdrew through injury.

Riakporhe has not boxed since his defeat to Chris Billam-Smith at Selhurst Park on June 15 last year, which proved to be his final fight at the 200lb cruiserweight limit.

Now he will kick off his assault on the heavyweight division in Riyadh.

“You can’t get bigger than this show,” he told The Ring at Monday’s grand arrivals at BLVD City.

“My goals in the new division are just to dominate. I feel like when people start to see my style and how I move at the new weight they will understand how big of a threat I am.

“I’ve been sparring Martin Bakole and it’s amazing, I’m starting to understand this game and what it takes to make it in the heavyweight division.

“I’m really excited, it’s an exciting division. This move has been something I’ve always planned ever since I was British cruiserweight champion back in 2019.

“I want to make some noise and cause a ruckus. It all starts on Saturday and I’d like to thank His Excellency for the opportunity to do it on an event like this.”