Football analyst Chris Sutton has shared his predictions for the FA Cup quarter-finals, joined by professional boxer Richard Riakporhe.
Manchester City recently secured the Carabao Cup, and Sutton believes they still have a strong chance to add another trophy this season. He pointed out that despite an inconsistent campaign and ongoing speculation about Pep Guardiola’s future, the team could still finish with two major trophies.
Sutton acknowledged that some fans may feel disappointed with City’s overall performance this season. However, he stressed that winning multiple cups would still represent a solid achievement.
Richard Riakporhe, a dedicated Crystal Palace supporter, joined Sutton to discuss the upcoming matches. The British boxer is preparing for a heavyweight title fight against Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva on 11 April at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The bout will take place on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s return to the ring against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Riakporhe admitted that he has focused heavily on boxing in recent months, so he welcomed the chance to talk about football again.
Before committing to boxing, football played a major role in Riakporhe’s life. He grew up in south-east London and spent years playing the game daily with his brother. His dream was to represent Crystal Palace.
He joined a local team, Meryl Rovers, where he played as a striker. He described himself as a fast attacker with a natural ability to score goals, comparing his style to a classic forward who thrives on finishing chances.
Despite his passion, Riakporhe did not pursue football professionally. He explained that he struggled to stay committed during the winter months and often preferred staying indoors instead of training in cold conditions.
Today, he avoids playing regular football because it affects his movement in the boxing ring. However, he still enjoys footvolley, a variation of volleyball played using a football.
Riakporhe also highlighted his experiences in Brazil, where he has watched both men and women play footvolley at a high level. He praised their technical ability and emphasized that consistent practice is the key to mastering the sport.
