Viddal Riley has warned upcoming opponent Anees Taj that he is "too elite" for his toughness to be tested by the boxers he is facing as he progresses through the ranks.
The London-born cruiserweight is famous outside of the ring for his massive YouTube following, but he has proven on seven occasions as a professional he is far from a social media boxer. Having knocked out his last two opponents and dropped the first man he fought after a two-year lay-off, Riley takes a big step-up against the 7-2 Taj.
Taj marks a notable difference in opponent for Riley in his first fight of 2022, but the unbeaten prospect is confident that he will be rid of him within three rounds, just as he has stopped his previous two opponents under the BOXXER banner on Sky Sports.
"I don't think I'll get him out of there in the first, but I don't think he'll be there by the fourth," Riley told media today ahead of their meeting next week at Wembley Arena. "I'm pleased to be where I am but I'm not content. Everybody was running with the narrative [about YouTube boxing] for a while but I think the consistency, the performances, my ranking in the UK is things that you can't argue with in regards to me being on a serious path. Next Saturday we continue that."
Riley's power is not in question after two vicious stoppages in his last two fights, as well as putting down the tough journeyman Willbeforce Shihepo in his return to the ring after a two-year injury battle. And he believes that he will continue to show his level against Taj, who himself has five professional knockouts and is planning to build a serious career in the sport.
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"He's definitely in the top three opponents that I've faced," Riley admitted. "Maybe even top two because I know that he's coming to win and I know that he's coming with intent and not to roll over. The mentality is strong, it's not just about records, and he's had time to prepare as well.
"He's probably had the most notice of all of my previous opponents which is different, so I'd put him in the top two or three. Ross McGuigan said the same thing he's been saying about sparring this guy and that guy, I don't know how the spars have been going... But it's alright."
Taj has experience losing and being down in his career, and wonders if Riley will be able to get up if he is tested at this early stage. But the Londoner isn't concerned, adding: "I don't feel like at this stage of my career my toughness is being tested. My skill is too elite to be tested yet, but everything gets ticked in the gym. On the night we just show up and we do what we need to do."
