LONDON — In Boxxer’s Bad Blood match, professional boxer, YouTube phenomenon, and current English Cruiserweight Champion Viddal Riley (10-0-0) will take on former British Cruiserweight Champion Mikael Lawal (17-1-0).
Viddal Riley, a Hackney native, has over 1.2 million YouTube followers, but he has opted to stick with the conventional path to boxing success rather than take advantage of the potentially enormous earnings available in the influencer boxing market. He keeps going in the same direction as his illustrious amateur boxing career, in which he defeated Chris Billam-Smith, the current WBO champion, and Daniel Dubois.
Riley’s conventional leanings, however, might be in jeopardy as social media celebrity turned professional boxer Jake Paul suggested a bout with Viddal following his most recent triumph over Andre August in December 2023. Viddal’s goals may shift as a result of the box office draw, but August was overcome by The Problem Child in the first round of the fight. When Jake Paul and Tommy Fury faced off last time, the Saudi-hosted event sold over 800,000 PPV buys.
Usually, Jake and Viddal used social media to generate talk about their possible bout. “How funny would it be, if I fought KSI’s trainer before fighting KSI maybe I’ll take on Viddal,” said Jake following Riley’s trainer’s initial suggestion.
“If his aspirations are to be world champion and mine are the same and we’re both 200lbs, it’s inevitable that fight will happen down the line. I have full confidence I will be world champion one day and I will happily, voluntarily defend my title against him,” said Viddal.
Riley’s next opponent, Mikael Lawal, is now trying to return to winning ways following his October setback at York Hall by unanimous decision to the newly crowned British Cruiserweight Champion, Isaac Chamberlain. The pressure was on as their bout was moved up to the main event, and Chamberlain prevailed with a dominant 119-111, 118-111, and 118-111 points win, while Lawal lost for the first time in eighteen fights.
Riley and Lawal will be joined by Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke in the Boxxer main event, where the British Heavyweight title is up for grabs. Watching welterweight rivals Florian Marku and Chris Kongo try to work out their differences will also be enjoyable for the audience. This confirms that Ben Whitaker, the internet sensation, will compete on the show. Additionally, rising super-middleweight sensation Callum Simpson will make a comeback to defend his WBA Continental Title, and Alen “The Savage” Babic will also make a return to the O2.
Easter Sunday, March 31, at the O2 Arena is the day of the event, which can only be seen on NBC’s Peacock in the US and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
(Additional reporting provided by Miriam Onyango)
