Richard Riakporhe has sparred with Anthony Joshua and Chris Eubank Jr., but one boxer struck him considerably harder. The ‘Midnight Train’ will face local cruiserweight opponent Chris Billam-Smith in a rematch for the WBO world championship at Selhurst Park, home of Premier League team Crystal Palace.

Riakporhe helped Joshua prepare for his failed clash with Fury two years ago.

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.”

Riakporhe found it tough in a battle with Eubank Jr.

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.

Riakporhe has held his own against a host of heavyweights overall, which could provide a fruitful platform to switch to the blue-riband division in the future.

Joshua is a notorious power-puncher and has a 90 per cent KO ratio throughout his boxing career, where he has reigned as a two-time world champion.

He is expected to return in September, and is expected to challenge the winner of Filip Hrgovic v Daniel Dubois with one fighter expected to hold the vacated IBF heavyweight title.

AJ is also still looking to challenge the winner of Fury’s clash with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, but that could be planned for 2025.

Whyte, whom Riakporhe piled on huge praise, returned with a routine win over Christian Hammer in March.

He has yet to pencil in a new date, but plenty of options could lay in waiting including a shot at Joe Joyce or Parker.