Viddal Riley will defend his English cruiserweight title against Mikael Lawal on Sunday at the O2 Arena, as the 26-year-old continues his pursuit of a world championship. The unbeaten boxer, who boasts a 10-0 record, remains focused on his long-held ambition despite his prominent role in the YouTube boxing scene.
Riley took time away from his professional career to train social media stars such as KSI, ComedyShortsGamer and AnEsonGib for their high-profile bouts against Jake and Logan Paul. However, as the YouTube boxing trend waned, he redirected his energy towards his original goal. “The dream is to be a world champion,” Riley exclusively told Mirror Fighting. “The dream hasn't changed since I was six years old. It's been 20 years now.”
Sunday’s opponent, Mikael Lawal, holds a 17-1 record and is coming off a defeat to Isaac Chamberlain, making him Riley’s toughest test yet. Riley expects a competitive fight but is confident in his preparation. “Training camp is going really well,” he said. “I've done all the prep I needed to do. Now the only thing left is to bang him up.”
Beyond his ring career, Riley has built a significant social media presence with 1.2 million YouTube subscribers, where he analyses fights. He advises young boxers to diversify their skills. “Boxing is a very temperamental game,” he noted. “If you haven't got anything to fall back on, then it's going to be quick.” Riley’s combination of boxing talent and media savvy positions him as a potential future broadcaster.
