The boxing world is buzzing with a potential clash between YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul and rising British cruiserweight Viddal Riley. However, Riley has made it unequivocally clear: a fight with Paul is far from his immediate priorities. While Jake Paul’s team, represented by MVP Promoters co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, has expressed enthusiasm for a matchup, stating they would “love to see Viddal headline cards in the UK,” Riley’s sights are set on a much more traditional path to glory.
Riley, backed by a massive social media following, has consistently emphasized his dedication to achieving conventional boxing success. His ultimate goal? To secure a British and eventually a world championship title. This commitment contrasts sharply with Paul’s approach, which has often involved high-profile but arguably less challenging opponents. Paul’s recent unanimous decision victory against Mike Tyson, while generating significant media attention, has been met with mixed reactions within the boxing community. His 11-1 record, marred only by a loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023, showcases a career built on both name recognition and victories over less experienced fighters. Bidarian acknowledges this, suggesting a fight with Riley hinges on Riley demonstrating significant box office appeal, proving he can draw a crowd and justify a substantial payday.
Riley’s immediate focus is on solidifying his position within traditional boxing. This Saturday, he fights on the undercard in Liverpool, supporting Natasha Jonas’ unification bout against Ivana Habazin for the IBF and WBC welterweight titles. His recent career-best performance against Mikael Lawal, where he overcame broken ribs to secure a unanimous decision victory and retain his English title, highlights his resilience and dedication. He firmly believes a fight with Paul is a distant prospect: “That’s something that will be done way down the line, not for now,” Riley stated, emphasizing his commitment to securing significant milestones in his career before entertaining such a fight.
Boxxer promoter and CEO Ben Shalom echoes this sentiment, suggesting Riley’s rapid progress within the professional boxing ranks might actually deter Paul and his team. Shalom envisions Riley first winning a world title: “Viddal is an elite cruiserweight, Jake Paul doesn’t want to fight elite cruiserweights.” He further underscores Riley’s dedication to the traditional path, highlighting his hunger for titles rather than solely focusing on financial gain. This dedication to achieving his boxing dreams on his own terms sets him apart and makes a potential fight with Paul a much more intriguing and long-term prospect. Shalom concludes by emphasizing the fundamental difference between their career paths: one a future world champion, the other a major star outside of boxing, leaving the question of their eventual clash open-ended.
Meanwhile, Riley continues to pursue his ambitious goals. Links to a domestic clash against Isaac Chamberlain persist, representing another step towards his ultimate ambition: a world championship title. His singular focus reflects his determination to establish himself as a top contender, not merely a participant in a high-profile, but arguably less meaningful, crossover fight. The road to a potential clash with Jake Paul is paved with Riley’s pursuit of true boxing greatness, and only time will tell if this highly anticipated clash ever materializes.
