Viddal Riley Announces ‘free agent season’ suggesting split with BOXXER
British cruiserweight champion could be leaving BOXXER following new partnership with BBC
On Monday 18 August, British boxer Viddal Riley (13-0, 7KOs) posted on his Instagram story ‘free agent season’ which hints at a split with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER promotional company.
In the Londoner's most recent unanimous decision win over cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke, Viddal Riley captured the British cruiserweight title and questions were raised regarding what was next for the champion. It seemed that staying under Ben Shalom was the plan.
'The Rilest' recently told Sky Sports Boxing: “I don’t know, now I’m British champion I’m on a very good pedestal.”
The content creater with 1 million YouTube subscribers added: “Ben obviously will direct me on where to go next, we want to keep climbing.”
However, since BOXXER’s split with Sky, with the broadcast giant choosing not to renew their partnership, it seems that 28-year-old Riley may have changed his mind. The Spurs fan signed with BOXXER in 2021 and renewed their partnership in 2024.
BOXXER and Sky first partnered together in 2021 in a four-year deal which was reportedly worth £36 million.
Despite the setback, Shalom has announced a new partnership with BBC which will mean boxing events will be free to air on television for the first time in 20 years.
Shalom told TalkSport: “It’s a historic moment for boxing, and we’re always competing with eyeballs with other sports, we’re always wanting to be on the front pages, and this puts us sternly on the front page”.
He added: “Hopefully we will see the effect of this over the next five or ten years, I think it’s extremely well respected we’ve seen participation go through the roof
“I think the BBC have recognised that and said, now is the right time to bring this sport back to the BBC”.
The boxing promoter said the first boxing event on BBC will be ‘spectacular’ and will take place very soon.
It is yet to be confirmed whether Viddal Riley has officially left BOXXER.
