CHEAVON Clarke will carry an intensity to the ring on Saturday night to match the electric atmosphere inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he defends his British cruiserweight title against Viddal Riley. Boxing’s theatre of the unexpected unfolds over five fights before 65,000 fans, with Clarke determined to reclaim his momentum.
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn command centre stage, their rivalry fuelled by legacy, ambition, and pride. For Clarke, the path to Britain’s biggest boxing event in 2025 so far is forged through success resilience, from his knockout of Ellis Zorro to overcoming defeat against Leonard Mosquea.
Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) himself remains unshaken, his belief razor-sharp as he prepares to face a brash challenger in Riley, (12-0, 7 KOs). In an interview with Boxing News, Clarke opened up about his mindset, the rivalry, and his unyielding belief in his own pedigree. A fighter who thrives on proving the naysayers wrong. Clarke’s reflections on the last 12 months reveal a man who views his career through a lens of steady progress, undeterred by setbacks.
“I think my career has progressed well,” Clarke said. “I’ve performed and I’ve showed different elements and different aspects of how I can box against various different opponents. And we have to remember that I’ve always taken a step up, so nobody can ever question my record.”
Going from solid opposition, such as Ellis Zorro, to his American debut against Efetobor Apochi underscores his development, which has been quick and relentless. The Mosquea defeat left a bitter taste, but Clarke’s ability to adapt and learn from each fight fuels his confidence as he prepares for Riley.
The Mosquea loss was a rare low point, and the post-fight scene in Clarke’s changing room revealed the raw emotion of defeat. Dropped by a left hook in the opening round, Clarke fought back valiantly but fell short on two judges’ scorecards. The moment was heavy, but Clarke’s response was characteristically blunt. “I just lost. You just lose,” he said. “Obviously, it sucks, so that’s it, really. Nothing other than that.”
There’s no room for self-pity in Clarke’s world. He acknowledges the pain but refuses to dwell on it, instead he recovered and vows to improve. After a 12-round war, he took time to heal, consulting with his team to dissect the fight’s lessons. Clarke’s ability to move forward, leaving the past behind him, speaks to a mental toughness that will be crucial against Riley, a fighter known for his slick boxing and untested durability.
Despite the setback, Clarke believes the Mosquea fight showcased his heart and pedigree. He battled back from the early knockdown, displaying the kind of fortitude that defines his career.
“I think anybody can see other than the first round, for the most of the fight, I showed my pedigree, how many people would have been in that situation and come back,” he said.
“I know all of you guys thought, oh, that’s it for Chev, but not for Chev, because I know my tank, I know my heart. And to be fair I could have even said I came back and I boxed enough to win the fight. So I think it’s all positive, really.”
With Riley looming, Clarke sees a chance to prove his mettle once more. The London rivalry with Viddal has been brewing in the British cruiserweight scene, amplified by promotional narratives and geographic proximity. Clarke, however, downplays the personal animosity, concentrating instead on the professional stakes.
“We’re both cruiserweights, of course and we’re within the vicinity of London,” he explained. “Boxxer, his promoter, they were trying to sideline me before I got the British [title]. At first it was Isaac Chamberlain, people were saying Chamberlain but Viddal has come in the picture now.”
Clarke’s tone carries a mix of amusement and frustration at the hype surrounding Riley, whose opponents, he argues, don’t match the calibre of his own. Clarke’s résumé boasts tougher tests, and he’s keen to let the ring expose the gap in experience.
Respect—or the lack thereof—is a sore point for Clarke. Despite his Olympic background, his British title, and his willingness to face tough opposition, he feels overlooked by fans and media who cast him as the underdog against Riley.
“The thing about it is, yeah, when Chev finished the Olympics, nobody was talking about Chev,” he said. “Going to the Olympics, nobody was talking about Chev. So for me to finish the Olympics, come on the scene in 10 fights, become British champion, without anybody gassing up or wanting to talk loud about me, why would I start listening to them now?”
Clarke’s frustration is evident, but he channels it into focus. He dismisses social media noise, valuing only the opinions of his team and loyal supporters. The British title is a badge of honour he wears proudly, and he bristles at suggestions from those who say Riley is the A-side. “I didn’t get emailed it,” he said of the belt.
Learning from defeat is central to Clarke’s approach, and the Mosquea fight offered valuable lessons. “There’s experience to be gained from all of your fights,” he said. “Now, if I kept winning, winning, winning, there will be flaws. There’s flaws in every fight, right? Now I can learn lessons from it, but I’m not going to sit here and mull over it.”
Clarke has worked to address the technical errors exposed in Monte Carlo, sharpening his boxing IQ for Riley’s elusive style. Had he won against Mosquea, Clarke would have been the fastest British cruiserweight to claim the European title, a fact he believes underscores his overlooked potential.
“I might not be out here on social media running around with other people but when it comes to applying my skill and the effort of boxing, there’s nobody out here that does it like me,” he added.
Looking ahead to April 26, Clarke is clear about his goal: victory, by any means. He’s not one for flashy predictions, but his intent is unmistakable. “I expect to win and I expect to win at all costs and to do whatever it takes to win,” he said.
“You’ve seen variety from me. My opponents are people that have been highly ranked. I’ve not had no walkover opponents. I’ve fought a variety of opponents from around the continent, around the world. I’ve got the experience, I’ve got the skill and I’ve got everything it takes to beat Viddal.”
Clarke’s versatility—his ability to brawl, box, and endure—gives him an edge over Riley, whose slickness may falter under pressure. On a potentially career-altering night for so many, Clarke aims to deliver a performance that reaffirms his status as champion and sets the stage for bigger fights in 2025. The Lonsdale belt is his, and he’s determined to keep it that way.
Watch Eubank Jr vs Benn on Saturday 26th April live on DAZN, the global home of boxing with over 185+ fights per year.
