On Saturday, unbeaten cruiserweight Viddal Riley defends his European championship against Seydi Coupe, aiming to secure a path to a world title shot.
- Riley enters Saturday’s bout as a heavy favorite to maintain his undefeated professional record and solidify his standing in the division.
- Victory over Coupe clears the immediate obstacle toward a mandatory shot at the vacant IBF cruiserweight belt.
- Punters looking at stoppage markets will note Riley’s explicit prediction of forcing a finish against the challenger.
Only 14 fights into his professional career, Riley is already rated as the IBF’s No. 2 contender for their world championship. The IBF belt is currently vacant, with Riley and New Zealand’s David Nyika ranked one and two. Sooner or later a world title fight would surely lie ahead of the Londoner, if he’s victorious on Saturday.
Coupe stands as the final hurdle separating Riley from the championship picture. “He’s in the way. We can’t worry about the other side of the door until we get past the doorman,” Riley told Sky Sports. “I’m trying to get in the club, Seydi’s asking for my ID at the door, I have to show him my ID or pull him out the way and get into the club.”
“I think I’m the most well-rounded cruiserweight in the world,” Riley told Sky Sports. “I think we’ve trained for that because we want to cover every aspect of the game. We don’t want to be lacking any area in movement, speed, IQ. All these things, I have them.”
“I believe this will be a stoppage victory,” Riley told Sky Sports. “You can’t stop everybody, I’m aware of that as well. I won’t be disappointed per se if I don’t stop him. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t batter him.”
“I just want to show for 12 rounds at least, it’s not the level. We’re completely different levels and I do, contrary to belief, possess good punch power,” Riley told Sky Sports.
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