Viddal Riley calls rumored bout with Jake Paul “clickbait” as his UK comeback plan faces backlash after Anthony Joshua knockout loss

Jake Paul did not expect this much criticism when he started talking about a return to the UK boxing scene. After suffering a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in December, many believed the YouTuber-turned-boxer would take a long break. Instead, Paul and his team quickly began discussing a comeback in the second half of the year. His promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), also signed a new deal with Sky Sports and confirmed an all-women’s boxing card in April.

However, the comeback talk has not been welcomed by everyone. British fighters like Darren Till and Viddal Riley have publicly questioned Paul’s intentions. Riley, a ranked cruiserweight contender and British champion, dismissed the idea of fighting Paul as nothing serious. At the same time, concerns have been raised about Paul’s health after the Joshua fight, where he reportedly suffered a broken jaw. Now, Paul faces growing pressure over who he will fight next and how serious he is about becoming a world champion.

Jake Paul’s next fight gains attention even without an opponent

Jake Paul’s return plans gained attention after comments from MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. He suggested that Viddal Riley would be an appealing opponent. He also mentioned that both a rematch with Tommy Fury and a fight against Darren Till could be attractive options. These remarks sparked debate in British boxing circles.

Riley, who is ranked No. 11 by both the WBA and WBC, currently holds the British cruiserweight title. He is preparing to face Mateusz Masternak for the EBU belt on April 4 at the O2 Arena. That event will be headlined by Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora. Given Riley’s active position in the division, he appeared doubtful about Paul’s seriousness, calling these rumors “clickbait” while speaking to a Seconds Out reporter.

Meanwhile, Derek Chisora recently questioned whether Paul might be dealing with psychological effects after his heavy defeat to Anthony Joshua. The loss was damaging both physically and mentally. It left Paul with a broken jaw and many unanswered questions about his future.

Adding to the drama, action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme publicly challenged Paul. In a social media post, Van Damme proposed a special rules bout between K-1 and boxing, without low kicks or elbows. He also proposed donating part of the fight purse to charity.

Despite these unusual challenges, if Paul truly wants to become a legitimate world champion, he may need to fight top-level boxers like Chris Billam-Smith, David Nyika, or Viddal Riley. A rematch with Tommy Fury could also help rebuild his credibility.

Paul now stands at a crossroads. He can return to fighting experienced contenders and risk another setback. Or he can choose safer, more marketable bouts. His next move will define his boxing future.





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