Cheavon Clarke could fit ‘very big’ fight bill for Viddal Riley

Boxxer’s Ben Shalom has hinted that Cheavon Clarke will replace Isaac Chamberlain as Viddal Riley’s next opponent.

Riley and Chamberlain were scheduled to fight on the undercard of Adam Azim-Sergey Lipinets at London’s Wembley Arena on February 1, but an injury suffered in training ruled Chamberlain out with under two weeks remaining until fight night, leading to Boxxer seeking alternatives.

The 27-year-old Riley stopped Dan Garber in December, on the same evening Clarke, 34, lost for the first time in his 11-fight career when seeing a split decision awarded in Leonardo Mosquea’s favour at the conclusion of their European cruiserweight title fight at Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

A fight between them would be similarly appealing to that that had been scheduled between Riley and Chamberlain, and asked about suggestions that Clarke – who fought Mosquea on a Matchroom promotion – would be installed as Riley’s opponent, Shalom told BoxingScene: “That was obviously devastating for us; devastating for Viddal. Now we’re looking at something very big for Viddal.

“He doesn’t want to wait around, and he wants the biggest fights. I’ve seen some rumours. But there’ll be a big fight to be announced very, very soon – imminently.

“[Clarke] still holds the British title, and that’s the title that Viddal wants. He’s a traditional guy; he’s gone Southern Area, English, and now he wants the British, all the way up to world level. He’s a great talent. He’s taken it in his stride, what’s happened, which is devastating for us – it was a fantastic fight. And he wants the next biggest test.”

The “rumours” Shalom referenced are those regarding Clarke-Riley being negotiated for the undercard of Chris Eubank Jnr-Conor Benn on April 26, and Matchroom’s Frank Smith told BoxingScene: “That is a fight there is a lot of interest in. If it happens on that card, let’s wait and see.

“That’s a fight I’d love to see. Cheav coming off the back of that fight; stepped up for the European title. Him versus Viddal would be a tremendous fight for sure.”

Shalom, in also guiding Chris Billam-Smith, Richard Riakporhe, Jack Massey and Chamberlain has become increasingly influential in the British cruiserweight division. Chamberlain is in the process of rebuilding under his new trainer Adam Booth following his defeat by Massey, and asked if Chamberlain would return to contention to fight Riley or Riley’s next opponent, the promoter responded: “I think so. I believe Viddal’s the best out of the bunch, and I think people haven’t seen the best from him yet. 

“He’s a superb boxer that I think will show levels against this level. He’s way above British, European level, and he’s gonna show that. Luckily there are some fantastic fights in the cruiserweight division – even Scott Forrest coming through now, who’s looked phenomenal out in Barnsley. Some great fights in the cruiserweight division. 

“We’ll have to see where Isaac’s at, and it’s a shame – I’ve seen a lot of speculation as to what it was. ‘We still haven’t received evidence.’ But the reality is I’ve been promoting Isaac Chamberlain a long time – he’s never pulled out of a fight and he’s never not got in the ring, even at late notice. Really unfortunate. But, yeah, Viddal’s career will move quickly.”