Viddal Riley Win Opens Up Billam-Smith IBF Title Fight Possibility
Undefeated Viddal Riley (14-0, 7KO) made easy work of title challenger Mateusz Masternak (50-7, 33KO). With this win in the rearview mirror, a fight with one-time champion Chris Billam-Smith for the IBF title could be next.
Riley repeatedly beat Masternak to the punch throughout the entire fight. He worked well behind the jab and mixed up the attack from body to head. This tactic kept the Polish fighter off balance and on the back foot. Even when Masternak pressed forward, Riley fought well off the back foot by landing eye-catching counter-shots. In the end, he won by unanimous decision in this IBF title eliminator.
When looking at what’s next, a fight with #3-rated Billam-Smith (21-2, 13KO) for the title could be at the top of the list. Smith is coming off a win over Brandon Glanton back in April 2025. He was supposed to face Masternak for the vacant title after, but that changed.
Riley versus Billam-Smith has a ready-made backstory, considering Riley defeated Billam-Smith in the amateurs. Furthermore, both fighters have come a long way since then. The undefeated fighter believes he is ready for the next level. Billam-has the edge in experience and knows what it takes to be a world champion.
It will be interesting to see what the IBF decides to do in the upcoming weeks.
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