The cruiserweight division is full of talent, but when a rising contender took on the world’s strongest man, fans were stunned.
The cruiserweight division has become more exciting lately, with names like Jai Opetaia delivering devastating knockouts or fighters like Chris Billam-Smith defying the odds to reach the heights of world championship level.
But below world level, at least for now, there is a British prospect who seems set to make waves in the division.
That man is Viddal Riley, and in 2021, when he was just 4-0, he faced off against the world’s strongest man.
Viddal Riley schools Eddie Hall to the amazement of fans
Eddie Hall, winner of The World’s Strongest Man competition, was preparing to face fellow world’s strongest man, Hafþór Björnsson in a boxing ring, in what would be known as the heaviest boxing match of all time, with both men weighing over 310 pounds.
Both men join Martin Bakole, Butterbean, and Nikolai Valuev as the heaviest boxers ever.
Riley, a cruiserweight, joined Hall for sparring ahead of the bout, and, though he took it easy on him, it became clear Riley was levels above, and fans praised his performance:
“Viddal is insane, not only for stepping in the ring against someone that much heavier than him, but his sheer technical skill. It’s mesmerising to watch”
“Viddal is sooo good. Everything he throws comes out so smoothly, and the footwork is beautiful”
Unfortunately this sparring was not enough to prepare Hall for his bout, and he lost by near-shut-out unanimous decision.
Viddal Riley’s next fight will be his biggest so far on Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn undercard
Riley was due to face Isaac Chamberlain, who, due to an injury that Riley is skeptical of, withdrew.
He became known by many after coaching KSI against Logan Paul, with the KSI vs Paul rematch undercard seeing Billy Joe Saunders score an impressive knockout.
Riley will now take on European title challenger Chev ‘C4’ Clarke on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn.
Clarke has a record of 10-1, falling just shy of the European title in his latest fight where he lost by split decision. A knockdown in the first round may have cost Clarke the fight.
This marks a step-up for Riley, though, whose best win comes against Mikael Lawal, and whose latest opponent was Dan Garber, who is set to face Hughie Fury in an extension of the Fury Garber rivalry.