Kalle Sauerland ready to set lawyers loose 'like a pack of mad wolves' over Riley's IBF shot
The Misfits boss says Viddal Riley earned his world title shot by beating Mateusz Masternak, and wants a decision once Riley's European title defence at Wembley on Saturday is done.
Kalle Sauerland says he will set his lawyers loose "like a pack of mad wolves" if Viddal Riley's shot at the vacant IBF cruiserweight title is not sorted out.
The Misfits Boxing boss told iFL TV at Wembley, in fight week for Riley's European title defence, that the hold-up was now a legal matter between Jai Opetaia and the IBF. "Currently it's a legal case between them. Whether we get involved, we'll have to wait and see," he said.
"Someone's got to get a set of balls and f***ing make a decision because if not ... we're not going to just sit there and watch," Sauerland said. "So we've got to get through Saturday night and then we need a decision. What's happening? Because, you know, we paid for an eliminator. He beat Masternak in the final eliminator."
He went on: "I've got to be careful what I say, but ... I've got lawyers who are f***ing itching to go and I'll set them loose like a pack of mad wolves if this doesn't get sorted out. Because it's not right, it's not right." Riley and the other leading contender, he said, are "sitting around waiting for ... a world title shot that they've earned. The number 1, number 2."
Riley beat Mateusz Masternak by unanimous decision at the O2 in April to win the European title, a win that moved him into position for the vacant IBF belt. Opetaia, who no longer holds the IBF title, has agreed to give up his WBA "regular" belt to become the WBC's mandatory challenger for the winner of David Benavidez v Michal Cieslak, as we reported this week. He fights Deontay Wilder at heavyweight in Cardiff on 11 December.
First, Riley defends his European title against the unbeaten Seydi Coupe at the OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday, live on DAZN. Riley has said Coupe "skips certain levels". Sauerland said that had he been Riley's adviser as well as his promoter, he would have told him to "pack it up, go on holiday" until "the IBF stuff's done with", because "the shot's there".
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Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.