I want to fight Jake Paul in world title clash when I become champion, but first I must win ‘toughest challenge’ yet

Viddal Riley has big plans for his future, and that involves setting up a showdown with rival Jake Paul.

Riley will take the biggest step of his career at London’s O2 Arena when he takes on Mikael Lawal in a bid to establish a British title shot, but he has the vision to go all the way to the top and reach the level global.

“The Rilest” has a huge social media following himself and has been heavily linked to matchups against Paul and Tommy Fury given they all fight at similar weights.

Although he prioritizes a serious path to the top via national titles, Riley still has his eye on a mega-fight with Paul and is determined to wait for the perfect opportunity to pursue it.

“I think it can still happen, especially down the line,” Riley told talkSPORT.com ahead of his return to the ring on March 8 as part of Fabio Wardley’s undercard against Frazer Clarke.

“I always imagined this fight with me as world champion and him in a position where I can make a voluntary defense against him.

“That’s kind of how I see this fight going. Coming up, I don’t think it’s really going to align with what I really want to do.

“When I get to that world level and win that world title, he always said he wanted to be world champion.

“I’ll give him the opportunity to try it.”

Paul previously suggested he would be willing to face Riley, with the two embroiled in a rivalry after the British heavyweight trained KSI for his rematch with Logan Paul in November 2019.

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The YouTube star began going down a real boxing path with victories over journeymen Andre August and Ryan Bourland, but has since returned to his mega-money parties.

He instead announced he would face heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in a showdown on July 20, despite heavy criticism given their 31-year age gap.

Even Riley has spoken out about the conflict between Paul and “Iron”, insisting that he doesn’t agree with the principles behind the competition.

However, Riley will focus entirely on his own upcoming test against Lawal, who was narrowly beaten by Isaac Chamberlain in a British title clash last time out.

Although he’s had to overcome significant hurdles to get to this point, Riley feels it’s his biggest challenge yet inside the squared circle.

“I would say this is my biggest challenge as a professional,” he continued. “But not in general.

“I was lucky enough to be there with people who became world champions, but as a professional this is my biggest test.

“He’s a former British champion, he’s athletic, experienced and has good punching power. We’ve seen him shut people down in the past so we know the challenge he brings.”

Paul has been under heavy fire since his fight with Tyson was announced, especially since the 57-year-old was seen using a cane just months before the announcement.

Tyson has released training footage in a bid to allay fans’ fears, but they aren’t too convinced given the heavyweight icon will be 58 when he makes his return this summer.

It is expected that the event will take place under professional rules, but no official announcement has yet been made despite shared concerns from the boxing world.

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