Jake Paul's team says he would be willing to fight Vidal Riley, but the British cruiserweight insists he has more nights to go in his career before considering the ring. share with the YouTube star.
Riley enjoys the support of a huge social media following but has been reiterating his ambitions to follow a conventional boxing route in his bid to become British and, ultimately, world champion .
Meanwhile Paul is coming off a unanimous decision victory in his breakout fight against Mike Tyson, the 58-year-old world heavyweight champion, who improved his record to 11- 1 following his only loss to Tommy Fury back in February 2023.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast Viddal Riley, Anthony Crolla and Gary Logan debate whether Jake Paul's fight with Mike Tyson was good or bad for boxing
“Absolutely. We would love to see Viddal headline in the UK and show that he has huge box office power,” Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP Promoters, told Sky Sports.
“Look at Jake's career, he's really been two things. He has fought fighters who had name recognition or fought journeymen fit or even too fit for his experience level and knocked them out in one round.
“I'm sure for Viddal Riley if he's going to fight Jake Paul he's going to want a big payday. He needs to show us that he deserves a big payday and if he can show that he has pulling power, that people are willing. to pay to watch him fight in a stadium, on TV then that makes it a much more realistic fight.”
Riley returns to the ring this Saturday on the undercard in Liverpool as Natasha Jonas fights Ivana Habazin in a unification of the IBF and WBC welterweight titles.
He is coming off an arguably career best performance against Mikael Lawal, when he overcame broken ribs to cruise to a unanimous decision victory and retain his English title.
If a fight with Paul is going to happen, he believes it won't be far in the future.
“That's something that will be done further down the line, not for now, we've got important and serious things to happen,” Riley told Sky Sports.
“If those things are identified and we reach a certain level maybe we can host that fight. Until then, I'm not thinking about it.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
British Cruiserweight Champion Isaac Chamberlain has called up Viddal Riley again for his next fight and he believes it would be a fight that would get a lot of attention.
Boxxer promoter and CEO Ben Shalom believes Riley's rapid development would prevent Paul and his team from battling the cruiserweight contender.
“I would like to see Viddal win a world title first (before the Jake Paul fight),” Shalom told Sky Sports. “Ultimately, although they will see his development, I think that more than anything on them.
“Viddal is an elite cruiserweight, Jake Paul doesn't want to fight an elite cruiserweight, if he wants to fight an elite cruiserweight I don't see anyone who brings more to the table than Viddal Riley.
“Viddal has gone down the professional boxing route for a reason, it means a lot to him, he's burning in it. People have different fights, Viddal doesn't want YouTubers or retired fighters, he wants to prove himself as one of the best. in this country and in the future.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jake Paul admits he didn't mean to hurt Mike Tyson after beating former world champion by unanimous decision
Meanwhile the 27-year-old remains tied up in a domestic rivalry with Isaac Chamberlain as Riley looks to take further steps towards world class.
“I know Viddal's focus is on titles,” Shalom said. “He wants titles not money, he's refreshing, there aren't many fighters like that and he needs a fighter with great self-belief.
“Some fighters have that level of belief and they've dreamed of getting to that top level for so long, they won't give anything up for it.
“He has always made it clear to me not to treat him like this and that he is not a YouTuber and that he wants to prove himself as the best in the country and in the world.
Jonas vs Habazin live on Sky Sports
Watch Natasha Jonas vs Ivana Habazin and Lauren Price vs Bexcy Mateus on December 14, live on Sky Sports + from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm, or follow updates via our exclusive live blog on website and Sky Sports app.
Stream Sky Sports contract-free on a Monthly or Daily subscription NOW. Instant access to live action from Boxing, Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket and much more.
