Viddal Riley says he took away a lot from his victory over Willbeforce Shihepo on Saturday night, but insists there is still room for improvement.
Riley (5-0, 2 KOs), who was making his UK debut on the undercard of Kell Brook’s sixth stoppage win over Amir Khan at the AO Arena, dropped Shihepo in the opening round on route to a points win over six rounds, to extend his unbeaten record to five straight victories.
The 24-year-old fought for the first time in almost two years and admitted despite not being happy with his performance overall, he sees the positives in going the rounds with an experienced contender.
“It was good,” Riley told proboxing-fans.com after his fight.
“I got the knockdown early, good counter shot.
“I was happy, but I think overall I wasn’t happy with the performance, I think I can do a lot better.
“I expect a lot more from myself, I’m a harsh critic, but that’s why I’m ahead.
“It was my fifth fight. My first fight in two years.
“He’s fought high level opposition from the super middleweight division to the cruiserweight division and I took that fight in my fifth fight after two years out.
“I could have got some guy I could have knocked over, but I wanted to learn.
“I told people I’m on the road to being a world champion and that involves learning and I learnt a lot in that fight today.
“I would have learnt nothing from blowing the guy away, so I take that from it too.”
The Londoner has built a huge social media following, having trained social media sensation KSI for his fight with Logan Paul in 2019.
Riley, a former standout amateur, who signed with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER after leaving Mayweather Promotions, says he is looking to build on his victory on Saturday night by having an active 2022 and is targeting his return on the March 26 bill headlined by Richard Riakporhe who faces Fabio Turchi at Wembley Arena.
“I think we can get in [a] minimum [of] four fights,” Riley added.
“I done six rounds, but I didn’t take no damage today, I’m fresh.
“We want to get on the show on March 26, which is in what five weeks?
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“So, that’s already two fights before the first four months of the year, so we got time.
“I’m just going to be active and I’m going to improve.
“All I want to do is improve and be the best fighter I can be and I’ll be happy.”
Watch the full interview with Viddal Riley below:
