British cruiserweight titlist Viddal Riley is set for his first fight of 2025 when he faces European champion Mateusz Masternak on April 4.
The bout will serve as the chief-support for the heavyweight bout between Deontay Wilder and Dereck Chisora at London’s O2 Arena.
Masternak is no stranger to UK shores, having boxed Tony Bellew and Chris Billam-Smith in England, in 2015 and 2023 respectively.
And Riley, who has signed for start-up MF PRO having departed Boxxer, said: “It’s a new dawn. It’s a new chapter. MF PRO is the launch of a new beginning in my career and there’s no better way to enter this stage than with another difficult test.
“I’ve decided to challenge a seasoned veteran and former world title contender for his EBU cruiserweight title, this is pivotal on the climb into world honours, and I expect a test but one I am more than capable of shining through.
“Chisora vs Wilder is a massive event and I’m excited to display my skills under my new promotion who are truly invested in assisting me to the top.”
Riley improved to 13-0 (7 KOs) when he scored the finest win of his career to date against former Olympian Cheavon Clarke last April.
Masternak is 50-6 (33 KOs) and the Polish veteran, now 38, said: “I’m really pleased this fight is happening. It’s a tough challenge, and in my opinion he’s a better fighter than Billam-Smith — even better than Bellew. I took this fight because I truly believe he’s the best British cruiserweight out there right now.
“I’m excited to be part of such a big event and to have the chance to perform in front of a large audience. I’m fully motivated and ready — I’m going there to defend my title and bring my belt back home.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland, of MF Pro, said victory would take Riley to a new level.
“Challenging Masternak, the hardman of the cruiserweight division, officially launches Viddal’s assault towards world titles,” said Sauerland.
“A fight with Masternak has been a rite of passage for so many of the best cruiserweights of the last decade or more, and we believe that Viddal is destined to get to the very top.
“But be under no illusions, there is no easy way to get there and he must be better than he’s ever been before, in order to get past the European champ.”
Tris Dixon covered his first amateur boxing fight in 1996. The former editor of Boxing News, he has written for a number of international publications and newspapers, including GQ and Men’s Health, and is a board member for the Ringside Charitable Trust and the Ring of Brotherhood. He has been a broadcaster for TNT Sports and hosts the popular “Boxing Life Stories” podcast. Dixon is a British Boxing Hall of Famer, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, a BWAA award winner, and is the author of five boxing books, including “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing” (shortlisted for the William Hill Sportsbook of the Year), “Warrior: A Champion’s Search for His Identity” (shortlisted for the Sunday Times International Sportsbook of the Year) and “The Road to Nowhere: A Journey Through Boxing’s Wastelands.” You can reach him @trisdixon on X and Instagram.
