LONDON, UK (February 20, 2024) – Viddal Riley has signed a long-term contract extension to commit his future to BOXXER and Sky Sports.

The rising cruiserweight star joined BOXXER in 2021 and has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in a thriving domestic division.

The 26-year-old captured the English Cruiserweight Title with a shut-out points victory over Nathan Quarless last September and is set to face his toughest career test as he steps up to face former British Champion Mikael Lawal as part of BOXXER’s bumper ‘Bad Blood’ bill on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London.

“My aim is to become world champion and with BOXXER and Sky Sports I know I’m in the right place to make that happen,” said Riley. “I’ve got a great team around me and a huge platform to showcase my skills.

“Winning the English Title is just the start. I want to work my way up to be British, European and then World champion. We’ve only just started and there’s an exciting road ahead. I can’t wait to continue my journey with BOXXER and Sky Sports.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “We’re delighted that Viddal has signed a long-term contract extension. He is without a doubt one of the most talented and marketable fighters this country has produced. In the next 12 months, we are going to see him rise from English to World level. The sky’s the limit for Viddal and there’s nowhere better for him to be than with BOXXER on Sky Sports.”

An amateur standout, Riley was an eight-time national champion. He won silver at the 2013 European Junior Championship and represented Team GB at the 2014 Youth Olympic before turning pro with Mayweather Promotions in 2018.

Riley’s first fight under the BOXXER promotional banner was on the Amir Khan vs Kell Brook undercard on February 19th, 2022, where the Hackney-born fighter scored a unanimous points win against Willbeforce Shihepo.

Four stoppage victories followed as Riley continued to impress with wins over Jone Valau, Ross McGuigan and Anees Taj twice to set up his successful English Title challenge.

Riley has built a huge following online. His YouTube channel has over 1.2million subscribers. Outside of the ring, the multi-talented fighter releases his own mixtapes and music videos and has a clothing line dropping soon labelled ‘Livin’ Sports By RIL’.

LONDON, UK (February 16, 2024) – Cruiserweight rivals Viddal Riley and Mikael Lawal collide in a special bet365 Wildcard contest as part of BOXXER’s bumper ‘Bad Blood’ bill at The O2 in London on Sunday, March 31st, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Riley (10-0, 6 KOs) returns to action following a shut-out points win over Nathan Quarless to capture the English Cruiserweight Title last September at York Hall. The talented Tottenham man has set his sights on the big fights in a stacked domestic division and can expect his toughest career test when he faces London rival Lawal.

Lawal (17-1, 11 KOs) will be looking to get back to winning ways having lost his British Cruiserweight Title to Isaac Chamberlain in October. The heavy-handed fighter from Shepherd’s Bush has the chance for redemption as he gets straight back into the domestic mix with another high-profile contest against undefeated opposition.

Viddal Riley said: “I look forward to the first notable name in my career being ticked off. I respect Lawal as a former British champion and as we know that’s a goal of mine so this is a perfect level check.”

Mikael Lawal said: “I’ve been legit, my journey in this sport is well documented. I’m just here to work and take care of business.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “Viddal Riley vs Mikael Lawal is another exciting addition to an already action-packed night of boxing. Credit to both men for taking this fight. Viddal Riley is taking a serious step up against a very dangerous fighter in Mikael Lawal, who has everything to prove following his defeat to Isaac Chamberlain. It really is a wildcard contest. I’m expecting an all-action fight between the two Londoners on Sunday, March 31st at The O2.”

Unbeaten heavyweight rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke clash in a ‘Bad Blood’ showdown for the British and Commonwealth Titles on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Florian Marku and Chris Kongo settle their simmering welterweight rivalry as part of a stacked undercard that also features future boxing superstar Ben Whittaker, the return of Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic against Steve Robinson and rising super middleweight contender Callum Simpson.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group, Fastline Steel Services and VOW Nutrition.

Tickets, priced from just £30, are available now via BOXXER.com

LONDON, ENGLAND – (Thursday, September 28th) – World title challenger Caroline Dubois and rising star Viddal Riley were among the fighters from this Saturday night’s BOXXER BREAKTHROUGH card who took centre stage at today’s open workouts in London’s historic York Hall, the same venue which will host this weekend’s event.

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Images free for editorial use, credit to BOXXER/Lawrence Lustig

Dubois faces Magali Rodriguez for the IBO World Lightweight Championship in the main event, while undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the vacant English Cruiserweight Championship.

The event airs live and exclusively this Saturday, September 30th on Sky Sports.

Here’s the what the competitors from the two headline bouts had to say today:

CAROLINE DUBOIS

It feels amazing to be fighting for the IBO world title and I want to thank BOXXER for making this happen. I just hope I can prove that I am worthy of the accolades that have been bestowed on me. The most important thing is that I have confidence in myself and my abilities.

MAGALI RODRIGUEZ

I’ve come well-prepared, I’ve faced a lot of different types of opponents and I am confident I have the experience and the strength to win this fight. 

VIDDAL RILEY 

I think winning the English title gives me legitimacy. Anyone can claim to be a pro boxer but once you win a title it gives you legitimacy and that’s something some people haven’t been trying to give me, so this is definitely the first step to that. 

He’s undefeated, he knows how to win, he’s done it many times and it’s my job to crash that. But I see a man who is motivated and coming to win.

I can go as far as I want to go. I have dedicated my life to this sport and we can see the results, can see the progression. So as far as I want to go is as far as I’ll go. But I am not looking past this Saturday night. 

NATHAN QUARLESS

We’re both here to do our job and be the best we can be. I am excited for the English title and I think that we both deserve respect for taking this level of opponent [for this English title fight. 

LONDON, ENGLAND – (August 22nd, 2023) – Hotly-tipped prospect Francesca Hennessy was today unveiled as the latest addition to the BOXXER ranks, joining her brother Michael on the roster and becoming part of the world’s strongest stable of female boxers.

Entering the professional ranks following an accomplished amateur career which saw her win two national championships, the Women’s Winter Box Cup and Sweden’s Golden Girls Box Cup, the talented 18-year-old hopes to follow in the world championship footsteps of stablemates Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas.

Daughter of veteran boxing manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, head of Hennessy Sports, the young Hennessy has never been short of inspiration. Her childhood years were populated by some of boxing’s biggest names – including heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who was long part of her father’s stable – and she has all but grown up in the ring.

“I’m turning professional now, signing with the best platform, best promotion – I’m more than ready, I’m ready to shake up boxing. My style is very unique. I like to move and groove. I’m a bit of a show-woman. You’re going to see some excitement for sure,” said Hennessy.

“I saw the way my dad and Peter Fury were looking after Savannah Marshall and I thought ‘This is something I can do and go to the top at’. It really inspired me, seeing Savannah, I have always looked up to her. Savannah’s such a massive role model.

“Women’s boxing has got massive recently. I was at the Savannah Marshall-Claressa Shields fight and obviously as a young girl who loves boxing standing in that arena, it was amazing. I never thought I’d see the day when an arena would be packed out like that with two women fighting. It’s so exciting for all us young girls who are coming on up.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO, said, “BOXXER and the Hennessy family have worked together for a long time, so we’ve watched Fran blaze a trail through the amateur ranks and now we’re delighted she will make her professional debut under the BOXXER banner. She’s grown up in the game – she was practically raised in the ring – and she’s got enormous potential, so we’re excited to start that journey with her on September 30th.”

In signing with BOXXER, Hennessy joins the world’s strongest stable of female boxers, lining up alongside world champions Marshall and Jonas plus Olympic medalists Lauren Price and Karriss Artingstall and the prodigious Caroline Dubois.

She will make her debut BOXXER and professional debut on Saturday, September 30th as part of the undercard for the BOXXER: Breakthrough event taking place at London’s historic York Hall.

Three centrepiece bouts were announced for that card yesterday, showcasing the top tier of British boxing’s rising stars and new talent. 

Caroline Dubois challenges for the IBO World Lightweight Championship, undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the English Cruiserweight Title and super-middleweight standout Callum Simpson heads into a firefight with the always-aggressive Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown. 

The event airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

LONDON, ENGLAND – (August 21st, 2023) – A trio of bouts were announced today for a BOXXER: Breakthrough event showcasing the top tier of British boxing’s young talent on Saturday, September 30th at London’s historic York Hall. 

Caroline Dubois challenges for the IBO World Lightweight Championship, undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the English Cruiserweight Title and super-middleweight standout Callum Simpson heads into a firefight with the always-aggressive Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown, live and exclusively on Sky Sports. 

The stunning ascent of Caroline Dubois (7-0, 5 KO’s) scales new heights when the 22-year-old prodigy steps up to challenge for the IBO lightweight world title in just her eighth professional bout. The prodigious Dubois faces power-punching Mexican veteran Magali Rodriguez (22-6-4, 9 KO’s), a former WBA world title challenger and current WBC title holder who has a 40% finish rate in her professional victories.

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Last year, Dubois – a Youth Olympics champion in her amateur career – told interviewers she wanted to win a world title in 2023 in order to put herself in position for big fights with big-name opponents, naming both Mikaela Mayer and Katie Taylor as specific targets. With five stoppage wins from seven outings, Dubois has now blasted her way to contention and the chance to complete stage one of her plan.

Two of the country’s top young cruiserweights will put their undefeated records on the line in a North vs South battle for the vacant English Cruiserweight Championship when London’s  Viddal Riley (9-0, 6 KO’s) – himself a Youth Olympian like Dubois – faces Liverpool lad Nathan Quarless (12-0).

Riley rides a string of crowd-pleasing stoppages into the bout, with his last four bouts all having ended inside four rounds or less, while Quarless has boxed clever on his way to a dozen straight wins and heads to London intent on outfoxing the heavy-handed Riley on home soil. 

Also confirmed for the September 30th card today are the surging Callum Simpson (12-0, 9 KO’s) and the gritty Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown (13-2, 4 KO’s), set to meet in what is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing super-middleweight showdown between two gunslingers who both like to occupy the centre of the ring and rarely take a backwards step.

Simpson was considered one of the best under-the-radar talents in the UK by boxing insiders before he signed with BOXXER earlier this year. The Barnsley man seized the chance to showcase his skills on Sky Sports and now has a growing army of fans across the country. On September 30th, former English super-middleweight champion Brown intends to test Simpson’s chin, stop the hype train and steal his momentum. 

“Caroline Dubois is exceptional and we’ve said ever since she turned professional with BOXXER last year that we expect her to become the future face of the women’s sport, not only in the UK but on the world stage. Her ambition is as big as her talent, but even I didn’t expect her to blast her way to a world title opportunity in just eight fights,” said BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom. 

“British and English title bouts seem to produce some of the best fights we see in this country and this English Cruiserweight Championship bout between Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless has a little something extra to it. It’s a classic North/South rivalry, with the outstanding Riley on home soil in London and the slick Quarless heading down from Liverpool looking to silence the home fans.

“I also can’t wait for this fight between Callium Simpson and Germaine Brown. A lot of insiders are predicting big things for Callum and he’s got a very tough test here. Brown is the former English champion and both of them go forward and look for the finish, so we might see an instant classic here.”

“BOXXER: Breakthrough events are about showcasing the best young talent in Britain and giving centre stage to the next generation of champions. The three bouts announced today are just the highlights of what will be an amazing card from top to bottom.”

BOXXER: Breakthrough at York Hall, London takes place Saturday, September 30 and airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

This event is presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

LONDON, ENGLAND – (June 12, 2023) – East London’s historic York Hall has been a milestone in the journeys of many British boxing greats, from three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, record-setting super-middleweight Joe Calzaghe and middleweight icon Nigel Benn. 

This Friday, the new generation of Britain’s brightest boxing talent make their first appearances in the famed venue as part of the BOXXER Fight Night event airing live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

The five-fight televised card features Frazer Clarke (6-0, 5 KO’s) and Caroline Dubois (6-0, 5 KO’s)  in key breakout battles, undefeated Irish standout Aaron McKenna (16-0, 8 KO’s) in a WBC title bout, a second instalment of the heated rivalry between Viddal Riley (8-0, 5 KO’s) and Anees Taj (7-3, 5 KO’s) plus the return to the ring of #1 British Cruiserweight Championship contender Isaac Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s)..

Battle-tested veteran Mariusz Wach (37-9, 20 KO’s) awaits Clarke in the ring. The Polish fighter has faced numerous household names of the heavyweight boxing scene and took Hall of Fame inductee Wladimir Klitschko when he challenged him for the unified world heavyweight championship in 2012. 

A stiff test awaits Dubois as she faces South American champion Yanina ‘Panterita’ Lescano (13-2, 4 KO’s), who last year lost a controversial decision in Dubai when she challenged Estelle Mossely in her challenge for the IBO World Lightweight Championship.

With Dubois’ star on the rise – the undefeated young prodigy has scored five of her six wins inside the distance since turning professional last year – Lescano heads to London hoping to stop her momentum and steal her shine, while the ambitious Dubois wants a statement win which will add weight to her calls for world title challenges in the near future.

A literal monster of a title fight occupies the midpoint of the Sky Sports televised card as Aaron McKenna (16-0, 8 KO’s) faces undefeated Uisma ‘Monstro’ Lima (10-8 KO’s) for the WBC International Middleweight Championship, with Lima having an 80% finish rate and three KO wins from his last four outings.

Heated cruiserweight rivals Viddal Riley (8-0,5 KO’s) and Anees Taj are fighting a second instalment of their feud, with neither having been satisfied with the cut stoppage which made Riley the TKO winner of their January first encounter, while Issac Chamberlain – the #1 contender for the British Cruiserweight Championship – returns to the ring in the opening bout of the televised card. 

Super-lightweight prodigy Adam Azim, British boxing’s hottest prospect, had been due to headline this Friday’s event but has been forced to withdraw due to a severe infection in the dorsal hood of his left hand, which his team believe was acquired when Azim cut his knuckles in a training session several weeks ago.

Housing the tendons responsible for finger movement, the infected area has proven resistant to prescription antibiotics and is so painful that Azim could not use the hand in a test sparring session at the end of last week, prompting his team to withdraw him. Azim will be rescheduled for a BOXXER card later this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND – (Tuesday, April 18th) – Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KO’s), British boxing’s brightest prospect, steps up another level for his next outing when he faces IBO International champion Aram Fanyan (22-1, 4 KOs) at the historic York Hall, London on Saturday June 10th.

The bout headlines the BOXXER fight night event, which airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

Azim’s astounding amateur career included ten national championships and had him marked from an early age as a potential future great. He has lived up to that expectation thus far, scoring 5 KO wins from 5 fights in his first year as a professional then starting 2023 with a win over the previously-undefeated South American slugger Santos Reyes. 

Having fractured the scaphoid bone in his right wrist en route to the unanimous decision win over Reyes – possibly when he dropped the Nicaraguan in the second round – Azim has elected to take another huge challenge now that he is fully recovered and returning to the fray.

Fanyan has lost just once in 23 professional outings, dropping a decision during a 2019 challenge for the WBC Youth Silver Super Lightweight Championship. Since then, Fanyan has gone on a nine-fight win streak and has begun collecting the kind of titles needed to build a base for eventual world title contention.

In his last outing, Fanyan beat Timo Schwarzkopf to win the IBO International Super Lightweight championship and prior to that he captured the WBO Oriental Super Lightweight championship – a win over the heralded Azim in London would make headlines across the boxing world and would open up bigger title opportunities for him in 2023.

For Azim, this high-risk fight brings the possibility of high rewards, with victory moving him up the WBA rankings from his current #14 spot and also potentially levering him into European title contention.

The road to title contention also leads Frazer ‘Big Fraze’ Clarke (6-0, 5 KO’s) to York Hall for what will also be his first appearance in the iconic British boxing venue. 

Having last week received news that he will be the next mandatory challenger for British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley, the 2020 Olympic medallist will sharpen his tools in the ring on June 10th ahead of his summer title showdown.

Cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley (8-0, 5 KO’s) and his antagonist Anees Taj (7-3, 5 KO’s) have some unfinished business to attend to following their February war ending unsatisfactorily in a fourth-round doctor’s stoppage due to a cut above Taj’s eyebrow.

The four rounds they fought in February were a firefight, Taj having raised the temperature with relentless pre-fight verbal barraging of his better-known rival. Having arrived in the ring determined to steal the show – and Riley’s shine – Taj won himself a legion of new fans with his spirited performance and will have new levels of support behind him going into this highly-anticipated rematch.

In another bad-blood encounter confirmed for the card, a war of words which began in Manchester last month will be settled in London in June when unbeaten prospects in Aaron ‘The Silencer’ McKenna (16-0, 8 KOs) and Shakiel ‘Dr Steel’ Thompson (10-0, 6 KOs) meet in a mouth-watering middleweight contest for the WBC International Middleweight Championship.

The two were on the same card last month and exchanged words at the pre-fight press conference, instantly sparking interest in an encounter among Britain’s boxing fanbase. The surely-heated clash takes place next month and is a high-stakes encounter – one will leave the ring as champion, the other with the first loss of his professional career. 

“Numerous British boxing greats have passed through the iconic York Hall on their way to the top and on June 10th it’s Adam Azim’s turn to take his next step to greatness at this storied venue. He’s a risk-taker who takes big steps up with every fight and I think in future we will look back at this fight as a pivotal moment in his career,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO. 

“On top of that, I’m excited to see Frazer Clarke make his final preparations ahead of his British title shot later this year and I’m really looking forward to Viddal Riley against Anees Taj and Aaron McKenna against Shakiel Thompson – those are two seriously heated matches which are going to be guaranteed crowd-pleasers.”

Several more HUGE fights will be confirmed later this week with tickets on sale on Friday at BOXXER.com

Pre-register for tickets now at BOXXER.com

This event will be presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

“Don’t blink!”

That’s the message from young lightweight sensation Adam ‘The Assassin’ Azim one day out from his championship showdown with the undefeated Santos Reyes in the main event of Saturday’s BOXXER Fight Night, airing live on Sky Sports Arena from 8pm.

Effortlessly making weight, the electrifying 20-year-old has a steadily growing army of fans thanks to last year’s string of stunning performances as he kicked off his professional career in style.

Azim was declared the Young Fighter of the Year 2022 by BBC Sport and now is a day away from headlining a major British arena for the first time. Reyes – undefeated and hailing from the storied boxing nation of Nicaragua – will provide his toughest test to date, but Azim has no concerns.

A war of words developed between Zak Chelli and American opponent Anthony Sims at Wednesday’s press conference and Chelli’s dislike for his Californian antagonist has only deepened in the intervening days.

“I am done talking, I just want to hurt this man. His arrogance, his persona, I just hate him,,” said Chelli after making weight.

Sims, standing close by, retorted with indignation. “Arrogance? The nerve! I guarantee you he’s going to hit the canvas. The Magician is back and I am going to make a statement baby!” 

A similarly heated note has saturated every interaction between Viddal Riley and Anees Taj in the run-up to this fight, largely stemming from Taj.

Irked by suggestions that he’s overmatched, Taj has made strong statements of intent to finish Riley inside the distance. Today though, he wore headphones to the weigh-ins and was in no mood to talk.

“Talking is done, time to work,” said Taj, only briefly uncovering one ear to respond to Sky Sports presenter Andy Scott’s request for final comments. 

When the mic passed to Riley, he voiced agreement. “Yeah he’s right, we’ve done enough talking. Tomorrow night we get to put hands on him, get him out of there and move on.”

The full card and weigh-in results are as follows:

Adam Azim (Slough) (10st 0 lbs) vs. Santos Reyes (Nicaragua) (10st 0 lbs) 

WBA International Super-Lightweight Contest @ 10st (10 x 3 Mins) 

Zak Chelli (Fulham) (11st 13 lbs) vs. Anthony Sims (USA) (11st 13 lbs)

WBA International Super-Middleweight Contest @ 12st (10 x 3 Mins)

Tyler Denny (Birmingham)  (11st 6 lbs) vs. Brad Pauls (Harlow)  (11st 5 lbs)

English Middleweight Championship @ 11st 6 lbs (10 x 3 Mins)

Viddal Riley (Tottenham) (14st 2 lbs) vs. Annes Taj (Watford) (14st 2 lbs 5oz)

8 x 3 Mins Cruiserweight Contest @ 14st 4lbs

Caroline Dubois (Romford) (9st 11 lbs) vs.Feriche Mashaury (Tanzania) (9st 12 lbs)

8 x 3 Mins Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs

Jeamie TKV (Tottenham) (18st 8 lbs) vs. Harry Armstrong (Torquay) (18st 7 lbs 5 oz)

8 x 3 Mins  Heavyweight Contest 

Hassan Azim (Slough) (10st 9 lbs 5 oz) vs. Abdallah Luanja (10st 4 lbs) (Tanzania)

6 x 3 Mins  Welterweight Contest @ 10st 10lbs

Stephen McKenna (Ireland) (10st 13 lbs) vs. Brendon Denes  (10st 11 lbs) (Zimbabwe)

8 x 3 Mins  Welterweight Contest @ 10st 10lbs

Jordan Reynolds (Luton) (12st 3 lbs 5 oz) vs. Mohamed Cherif (France)  (12st 5 lbs)

6 x 3 Mins  Super-Middleweight Contest @ 12st 2lbs

Razor Ali (Maida Vale) (8st 12 lbs) vs. Hector Lozano (Mexico)  (8st 13 lbs 5 oz)

4/6 x 3 Mins  Featherweight Contest @ 9st

LONDON, ENGLAND – (February 8, 2023) -Adam Azim went head to head with undefeated Santos Reyes at today’s official pre-fight press conference ahead of this Saturday night’s BOXXER Fight Night at the OVO Wembley Arena, airing live and exclusively in the UK on Sky Sports.

Saturday is significant for young prodigy Azim, being the first time he is headlining a major British arena and the first time in his nascent professional career that he is facing an undefeated opponent. 

“I’m very heavy-handed in both hands. I’ve got speed as well. If I put the combination together I can put on a devastating performance,” he said today.

“The pressure doesn’t get to me because I’ve been training really hard. I’m very focused and very determined to put on a great performance.  He’s 12-0 so he’s no joke, he’s a very durable fighter. He’s a good fighter and it’s going to be a good one.”

The chief supporting bout on Saturday will be an intriguing clash between flashy American Anthony Sims and London’s Zak Chelli.

“I’ll catch him [with] a nice one and I’ll put him down,” Chelli said, before telling the American: “I fight tough opponents, you fight nobodies. Good dancer… I haven’t seen no aggression and that’s what I’m going to bring on Saturday.”

Sims responded, “The boxing I know is beyond you. On Saturday you’re going to find out. You’ll be my next victim.”

Another well matched contest on the bill will be Tyler Denny’s English middleweight title defence against Brad Pauls.

The respect between the two was clear at Wednesday’s press conference. “Tyler’s established at this level,” the challenger said. “It’s my time to step up, take my shot and show what I’m about.

“We can both dig deep if we have to.

“I just think the styles will gel well for a good fight.”

Victory should lead the winner to a shot at the British title. “There’s so much to gained from this fight. My toughest opponent yet but we’ll see what I’m made of,” Pauls said.

“I just think I’m better,” Denny said. “He obviously thinks he’s better than me. We’ll find out Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be fight of the night. We both come to win, we’re both hungry fighters.

“He’s an entertaining fighter, my last three fights have been entertaining fights. It’s got fireworks written all over it.”

In contrast the animosity between Viddal Riley and his opponent on Saturday Anees Taj was instantly apparent.

“I don’t think he’s my toughest opponent,” Riley said, a comment Taj reacted to at once.

“I know you’re coming to win,” Riley continued. “It’s scheduled for eight, it’s my first eight-rounder. But I don’t think I’ll do eight on Saturday.”

“Of course you won’t,” Taj interrupted again, “because you’ll get stopped within six. I know I’m in your head.”

Riley gave no indication of doubt though. “My prediction,” he insisted, “is that you don’t see round four.”

The full BOXXER card for Saturday February 11 on Sky Sports is as follows:

Adam Azim vs Santos Reyes 

10 x 3 mins International Super-Lightweight Contest

Zak Chelli vs Anthony Sims 

?10 x 3 mins International Super-Middleweight Contest

Tyler Denny vs Brad Pauls 

?10 x 3 mins English Middleweight Championship

Caroline Dubois vs Feriche Mashaury

8 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest

Viddal Riley vs Anees Taj 

?8 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest

?Jeamie TKV vs Harry Armstrong ?

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

Hassan Azim vs Abdallah Luanja ?

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

Jordan Reynolds vs Mohamed Cherif Benchadi ?

6 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight Contest

Razor Ali vs Hector Lozano ?

4 x 3 mins Featherweight Contest

?Rising cruiserweight sensation Viddal Riley will face unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Ross McGuigan in his next fight on Saturday, November 12th.

Riley (6-0, 3 KOs) made light work of Jone Volau back in June with a first round stoppage at Wembley Arena.

And the 25-year-old returns to the AO Arena in Manchester, where he defeated Willbeforce Shihepo on points, looking to continue his impressive ascent up the rankings.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: “Viddal is a very good boxer, who is still very young and he should be taken very seriously.

“Coming out of Tottenham and training in East London, Viddal understands the importance of honing his craft. Training, sparring, watching, listening and learning the traditional way.

“Undefeated at 6-0, Viddal sets himself goals with each opponent and understands that hard work will push him on for domestic titles in 2023, with an ultimate focus of a world title down the line.”

Since turning professional back in 2018, Riley a 2014 Team GB Youth Olympian has enjoyed a flawless start and built up a huge following across social media

And he is intent on laying down another marker to the cruiserweight division.

Viddal Riley said: “My mission continues on November 12th in Manchester. Ross McGuigan is undefeated and will do his best to keep it that way, but I know my level and will display it in full come fight night.”

In McGuigan (3-0), Riley faces a tough opponent who is keen to make an impression live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

“I’m buzzing to be fighting Viddal Riley,” added London fighter McGuigan.

“I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills on a massive platform with Sky Sports and BOXXER, where I plan to announce myself to the rest of the cruiserweight division.”

Elsewhere on the November 12 card, Dylan Cheema will be looking to extend his unbeaten record when he fights Jordan Ellison.

Cheema (7-0, 2 KOs) became the BOXXER Series: Lightweight champion back in April when he defeated Rylan Charlton – and the Coventry fighter is expected to have his legion of followers cheering him on in Manchester.

Oldham middleweight Jack Kilgannon will be keen to put on a show for the local fans as he joins the undercard.

And Mancunian welterweight prospect Clark Smith – a Gallagher’s Gym stablemate of Natasha Jonas, who fights Marie-Eve Dicaire for the unified world titles in the main event – will be in action too as he bids to continue his unbeaten start to life in the professional ranks.

Tickets are on general sale now. Go to boxxer.com

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Village Hotels and FCI Markets.

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

JJ O’Regan, Media Officer

+447888 891861 | jj@boxxer.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VENUE-SHARE WITH RICKY HATTON vs MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA & DAN HARDY vs DIEGO SANCHEZ EXHIBITION MATCHES, PROMOTED EXCLUSIVELY BY EUROPA COMBAT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th

BOXXER ticket holders

Ticket holders for the Sky Sports BOXXER event will be able to access the AO Arena from 16:45pm.

These tickets will also grant free access to the Hatton v Barrera exhibition match, promoted by Europa Combat, which is expected to begin around 10:30pm after the BOXXER main event and show has concluded.

Europa Combat ticket holders:

Tickets for the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show will also enable free access to the Sky Sports BOXXER event taking place in the AO Arena from 16:45pm to around 10pm on 12th November. The Hatton v Barrera show will take place after the BOXXER event finishes.

FAQs

1. If I’ve got a ticket to the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show, can I also attend the Sky Sport BOXXER event?

Absolutely, your ticket gives you free access to the BOXXER event and you can arrive at any time from 4:45pm onwards.

2. If I leave the AO Arena, will I be able to come back in?

Apologies but you will not be allowed to leave the venue and come back in. This is standard venue policy.

3. Can I transfer my ticket to a friend or family, so I can watch the BOXXER event and then they can watch the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show?

We are sorry but all tickets are non-transferrable.

4. Why are there two separate events?

They are two separate events, which have been organised by two separate promoters, with Europa Combat taking over the venue when the BOXXER event has concluded. But purchasing a single ticket for either event will give access to both events.

5. Do I sit in the same seat for both events?

Yes, your seat will be the same for both events.

Manchester, England – (October 4th, 2022) – Fresh off a stunning first-round stoppage win in his last outing, undefeated cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley (6-0, 3 KO’s) is today announced as the latest addition to the all-action BOXXER: Manchester card taking place at the AO Arena on Saturday, November 12th.

Screened live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports Boxing, it will be Riley’s second time competing in the famed Manchester arena, having debuted for BOXXER there earlier this year on the undercard of the record-breaking BOXXER: Khan vs Brook event.

Having showcased his technical ability in his BOXXER debut, Riley – a national champion and Team GB member in his amateur days – then demonstrated his ferocious power in June, stopping the veteran Jone Volau in just 51 seconds.

Riley’s combination of proven power and high level of technical ability have made him one of the most hotly-tipped young boxers in the UK today.

In November, he heads to Manchester in search of a seventh consecutive professional victory which will continue his climb up the rankings and towards contender status.

With over two million followers across his various social media channels, an army of worldwide fans will be following Riley’s mission to Manchester, where he joins a card which also features Olympic heavyweight hero Frazer Clarke and Dalton Smith, who defends his British super-lightweight title against Kaisee Benjamin.

A world title unification bout headlines the card, with WBC and WBO world super-welterweight champion Natasha Jonas (12-2-1, 8 KO’s) heading over from Liverpool intent on taking the IBF championship from Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire (18-1, 1 KO) and adding it to her collection.

Registration for pre-sale tickets is now open, with tickets going on general sale this Friday, October 8th.

“Viddal Riley is an incredible talent who has made a major success of himself across multiple industries. There’s a huge level of interest in everything he does. Now his focus is entirely on boxing and on rising to world champion status. I think he has all the tools to go all the way,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO.

“With his combination of skills and personality, he’s got the potential to become a global superstar. Manchester on November 12th is the next step of that journey. The cruiserweight division as a whole is rising and becoming as exciting for us as it is for the fans. There is a lot more to come from that division.”

Rising star Riley remarked, “I am back! It feels good to return to the ring after one of my career-best performances last time out and I plan to build on it. I’d like to fight once more this year so it’s important that I win in style and take minimal damage. Watch the journey continue, and hopefully by the end of next year, a title is around my waist!”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, added: “What an exceptional talent Viddal Riley is! To make a success of yourself in one field is impressive, but to do it across multiple fields is something else.

“Riley made his name in music and entertainment, but he was a very talented amateur boxer long before either of those came on the radar. He was a Youth Olympian and national champion as an amateur and now he’s set on becoming a world champion in the professional game.

“Viddal Riley has reached the top tier in everything he’s done until now, as he aims to one day be a world champion in our sport.”

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VENUE-SHARE WITH RICKY HATTON vs MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA & DAN HARDY vs DIEGO SANCHEZ EXHIBITION MATCHES, PROMOTED EXCLUSIVELY BY EUROPA COMBAT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th

BOXXER ticket holders

Ticket holders for the Sky Sports BOXXER event will be able to access the AO Arena from 16:45pm.

These tickets will also grant free access to the Hatton v Barrera exhibition match, promoted by Europa Combat, which is expected to begin around 10:30pm after the BOXXER main event and show has concluded.

Europa Combat ticket holders:

Tickets for the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show will also enable free access to the Sky Sports BOXXER event taking place in the AO Arena from 16:45pm to around 10pm on 12th November. The Hatton v Barrera show will take place after the BOXXER event finishes.

FAQs

1. If I’ve got a ticket to the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show, can I also attend the Sky Sport BOXXER event?

Absolutely, your ticket gives you free access to the BOXXER event and you can arrive at any time from 4:45pm onwards.

2. If I leave the AO Arena, will I be able to come back in?

Apologies but you will not be allowed to leave the venue and come back in. This is standard venue policy.

3. Can I transfer my ticket to a friend or family, so I can watch the BOXXER event and then they can watch the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show?

We are sorry but all tickets are non-transferrable.

4. Why are there two separate events?

They are two separate events, which have been organised by two separate promoters, with Europa Combat taking over the venue when the BOXXER event has concluded. But purchasing a single ticket for either event will give access to both events.

5. Do I sit in the same seat for both events?

Yes, your seat will be the same for both events.

In a much awaited grudge match, former world champion Kell Brook stopped Amir Khan in round six of their 12-round bout at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

In round one, Brook wobbled Khan on two occasions. The first was from a hard jab. The second was from a hard right hand. In round six, Brook hurt Khan again with a jab. Brook began to pour on the offense until the fight was stopped at 51 seconds.

Brook, 148.3 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 40-3 with 28 knockouts. Khan, 147.3 lbs of Bolton, ENG is 34-6.

Natasha Jonas won the vacant WBO Super Welterweight title with a 2nd round stoppage of Chris Namus.

In round one, Jonas dropped Namus with a right hook. In round two, it was a straight left off of a furious exchange that sent Namus down again. Namus got to her feet, but the fight was waved off at 28 seconds.

Jonas, 149.3 lbs is 11-2-1 with eight knockouts. Namus, 147.3 lbs of Uraguay is 25-7-1.

2021 Olympic Bronze Medal winner Frazer Clarke made a successful pro debut with a 1st round stoppage over Jake Darnell in a heavyweight fight.

In round one, Darnell began bleeding from his nose. Shortly after, Clarke landed a big combination that was set off by a body shot that was followed by several head shots that forced the corner of Darnell to throw in the towel at 2:06.

Clarke, 256 lbs is 1-0 with one knockout. Darnell, 248.3 lbs of Blackpool, ENG is 0-1.

Hasan Azim won a four-round decision over MJ Hall in a welterweight bout.

Azim, 148 lbs won by a 40-36 score and is 2-0. Hall is now 2-74-2.

Adam Azim stopped Jordan Ellison in round three of their six-round junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Azim dropped Ellison with a right to the body. In round three, Azim landed a hard left hook to the head that dropped Ellison down and out at 2:09.

Azim, 138.4 lbs is 3-0 with two knockouts. Ellison, 138.4 lbs is 13-36-2.

Brad Rea scored a vicious opening round stoppage over Craig McCarthy in a middleweight fight.

Rea landed a ripping undercard that sent McCarthy down on his back, and the fight was stopped before the 10-count could be completed at 1:53.

Rea, 160.3 lbs of Sweatburg, ENG is 12-0 with five knockouts. McCarthy, 161.3 lbs of Waterford, IRE is 8-1-1.

Viddal Riley won a six-round decision over Will Shihepo in a cruiserweight bout.

In round one, Riley dropped Shihepo with a right uppercut.

Riley, 197 lbs of London, ENG won by a 60-53 score and is now 5-0. Shihepo, 196.3 lbs of Namibia is 25-14.

Germaine Brown won a 10-round unanimous decision over Charlie Schofield in a super middleweight fight.

Brown, 168 lbs of London, UK won by scores of 99-92 and 98-92 twice and is now 12-0. Schofield, 168 lbs of Manchester, UK is 17-2.

MIAMI GARDENS – (May 27, 2021) – Fighters competing in a series of exciting undercard attractions on Sunday, June 6 will enter the ring at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for action that leads up to the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul SHOWTIME PPV event.

The non-televised fight lineup will include unbeaten Puerto Rican super lightweight contender Jean Torres (18-0, 14 KOs) squaring off against West Virginia’s Zack Kuhn (10-7-1, 5 KOs) for an eight-round bout, undefeated lightweight prospect and Cincinnati-native Adrian Benton (4-0, 3 KOs) taking on San Jose’s Pedro Cruz (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round lightweight affair and unbeaten Phoenix-native Micky Scala (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round super welterweight showdown against New Mexico’s Adam Ramirez (1-1, 1 KO).

Rounding out the action is unbeaten cruiserweight prospect and popular social media star Viddal Riley competing in a six-round cruiserweight fight against Missouri’s Quintell Thompson, plus a pair of promising prospects make their pro debuts in four-round bouts as Washington, D.C.-born welterweight Jalil Hackett battles Texas’ Angelo Diaz and Phoenix’s Dorian Khan Jr. duels Miami’s Jonathan Conde in a super featherweight fight.

“I’m very excited for this undercard,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “We have a young group of rising hungry talent coming out of Mayweather Promotions’ stable with the opportunity to be aligned with a Mayweather mega event! Not many will have this opportunity beyond this point, and I’m sure that all of them will seize the moment and put on a show come June 6.”

Tickets for the live event are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

ABOUT MAYWEATHER VS. LOGAN PAUL
Mayweather vs. Logan Paul is a special exhibition bout presented by Mayweather Promotions, FANMIO and Mavathltcs that will take place on Sunday, June 6 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The telecast, which is being produced by SHOWTIME PPV, will air live beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and can be purchased now at SHOWTIME.com and FANMIO.com. The undercard will feature WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal vs. two-division world champion Badou Jack in a 12-round rematch, plus former unified super welterweight champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd against Luis Arias in a 10-round bout and in a fourth PPV bout, former NFL star wide receiver Chad Johnson will make his boxing debut in an exhibition match against versatile fighter Brian Maxwell. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit bit.ly/mayweatherpaul, www.SHO.com/sports, www.FANMIO.com. Follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @LoganPaul, @MayweatherPromo, @ShowtimeBoxing and @FANMIO and on Instagram @FloydMayweather, @LoganPaul, @MayweatherPromotions, @ShowtimeBoxing and @FANMIO.

NEW YORK (December 19, 2019) – SHOWTIME Sports will live stream three bouts as part of an exciting night of undercard action on Saturday, December 28 from the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The special holiday presentation is headlined by two-time Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis, who is moving up in weight to take on former unified world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

A pair of ShoBox: The New Generation alums will fight in separate bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN as undefeated rising prospect Malik Hawkins faces off against unbeaten Darwin Price in a 10-round super lightweight fight, while undefeated Angelo Leo squares off against Cesar Juarez in an IBF and WBO Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator. The streaming portion of the night also features cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley from London in a four-round fight against Cincinnati’s Muhammad Abdullah. Riley is widely recognized as the trainer for YouTube star KSI.

The digital offering begins live at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page leading into the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The event is headlined by boxing’s hottest attraction in the undefeated Baltimore native Davis taking on the veteran Gamboa and will feature a co-main event pitting WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal against two-division champion Badou Jack. In the telecast opener, former world champion Jose “Bolivita” Uzcategui will return to battle Lionell Thompson in a 10-round super middleweight fight.

Ray Flores will call the live undercard play-by-play action on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN from ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale and available through Ticketmaster.com.

In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTDOWN streaming coverage, Davis’ stablemate and up-and-coming prospect Hawkins (17-0, 10 KOs) will face the toughest test of his career as he looks to make a statement in one of boxing’s hottest division at 140 pounds. The 23-year-old Hawkins fought on the Davis vs. Ricardo Nunez undercard July 27 at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore as he scored an eight-round unanimous decision against Jonathan Steele. In his last fight, Hawkins knocked out All Rivera in Las Vegas in September. Currently trained by Calvin Ford and Kenny Ellis, Hawkins was 93-8 in the amateurs, which included tournament titles at the State Golden Gloves and Regional Golden Gloves. In April of 2017, Hawkins made his nationally televised debut on ShoBox at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., as he scored a dominating second-round TKO of previously undefeated Carlos Soto.

The 30-year-old Price (16-0, 9 KOs) lives and trains in Houston and has scored three knockouts in 2019, including most recently stopping Breidis Prescott in October in a headlining appearance in his hometown. A pro since 2013, Price did not fight in 2018 as he was forced to the sidelines for 15 months after suffering a patellar tendon injury in training. Prior to that, he had won eight fights between 2015 and 2017, including impressive victories over then unbeaten Semajay Thomas and Javontae Starks. A standout track and field runner at Grambling State University prior to his pro boxing career, Price can put himself closer to world title contention by turning away the rising prospect Hawkins.

Leo (18-0, 8 KOs) is another ShoBox alum who will be featured on the live stream as he takes on former world title challenger Cesar Juarez (25-7, 19 KOs) in a 12-round IBF and WBO Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator. The Mayweather Promotions prospect Leo went wire-to-wire in an impressive and dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory over Neil John Tabanao in April in the ShoBox main event at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas. The veteran Juarez is from Mexico City and turned pro in 2010. He lost WBO world titles fights on two occasions, first against Nonito Donaire in 2015 in Puerto Rico and then against Issac Dogboe in 2018 in South Africa. Both Leo and Juarez are ranked in the top 10 by the IBF at 122 pounds.

Recognized widely as the trainer for YouTube star KSI, cruiserweight prospect Riley (3-0, 2 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against Abdullah(4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round cruiserweight bout. The 22-year-old Riley represented England at the European Junior Boxing Championships in Russia in 2013. As an amateur, Riley won eight national championships and had a record of 41-8 (19 KOs). He recorded knockouts in his first two pro fights and notched a four-round unanimous decision in his third pro bout.

The stacked lineup of non-televised attractions includes light heavyweight contender Ahmed Elbiali (18-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout against veteran Bryan Vera (26-15, 16 KOs), once-beaten contender Ladarius Miller (20-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight duel against Mexico’s Miguel Zamudio (44-15-1, 27 KOs) and Washington D.C.’s Kareem Martin (13-2-1, 4 KOs) taking on Russia’s Petros Ananyan (14-1-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight affair.

Also entering the ring is undefeated Baltimore-native Malik Warren (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round super featherweight duel against Macon, Georgia’s Trayvion Butts (3-0, 2 KOs) and unbeaten lightweight Jackson Martinez (18-0, 6 KOs) from the Dominican Republic squaring off against Mexico’s Yardley Cruz (26-14, 16 KOs) for an eight-round affair

Rounding out the lineup are Atlanta native and super featherweight prospect DeMichael Harris taking on Amonie Sanders in a four-round fight and the pro debut of Baltimore’s Mia Ellis in a four-round super lightweight battle against North Carolina’s Khadijah Sanders.

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ABOUT DAVIS VS. GAMBOA
Davis vs. Gamboa will see two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Mayweather Promotions’ top rising star and boxing’s hottest attraction, as he takes on former unified world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa for the WBA Lightweight Title live on SHOWTIME Saturday, December 28 at the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The special holiday SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal battling two-division champion Badou Jack in the co-main event.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing