Two contenders ready. One belt vacant. Zero dates.
Welcome to boxing.
Last night at OVO Arena Wembley, Viddal Riley kept his European cruiserweight title with a clear unanimous decision over unbeaten Frenchman Seydi Coupe.
116-112. 117-111. 119-109.
Riley moves to 15-0. Coupe drops to 14-1.
Job done.
But Riley should have been getting ready for a WORLD title fight.
He's No. 2 with the IBF. New Zealand's David Nyika is No. 1. The pair were ordered to fight for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title.
So why isn't it happening ?
Jai Opetaia.
The Aussie was stripped of the IBF belt after agreeing to fight under Dana White's Zuffa Boxing banner. He didn't take it lying down — he's taken the IBF to court, alleging the body conspired against him and had no proper grounds to strip him.
Until that's sorted, the vacant title fight is on ice.
Team Nyika wanted December — maybe even in Auckland. Now it's looking like the new year, with a stay-busy fight first.
"It's frustrating for us guys," trainer Noel Thornberry told RNZ.
Frustrating ? That's putting it politely !
Meanwhile Opetaia — unbeaten, and the man who already beat Nyika last year — is off to heavyweight to face Deontay Wilder in Cardiff on 11 December.
So let's get this straight.
The ex-champ is in court fighting for the cruiserweight belt… while getting ready for a heavyweight fight.
The No. 1 and No. 2 are ready to go… and can't.
Somebody please explain that one to us !!
When the green light does come, it heads to a purse bid — and Team Nyika want it Down Under.
🇳🇿 DAVID NYIKA vs VIDDAL RILEY (15-0) 🇬🇧
🥊 Vacant IBF Cruiserweight World Title
📅 TBC — "the new year at this stage"
Stay tuned !
Sources:
Boxing247 (14 Nov 2026) — https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/viddal-riley-outboxes-seydi-coupe-to-retain-european-title/311339
RNZ (31 Oct 2026) — https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/2254340/kiwi-boxer-david-nyika-s-world-title-showdown-put-on-hold
talkSPORT (7 Oct 2026) — https://talksport.com/boxing/4631102/viddal-rileys-next-fight-seydi-coupe-jai-opetaia/
BoxingScene (4 Nov 2026) — https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/deontay-wilder-jai-opetaia-confirmed-for-tyson-fury-anthony-joshua-undercard
Jino Rodrigo has been in outstanding form of late, exuding a brand of violence that is equal parts shock and awe, and no doubt his secret to it all :
TRAIN HARD - STAY BUSY !!
Jino has also taken his most recent fights in the United States on very short notice against top opposition, and this Sunday he continues on that path tackling his most formidable task yet !
Standing in his way will be World #1 amateur and recent Golden Boy signing Ruslan Abdullaev !!
Yes, you heard right.
Golden Boy.
They love to protect their new signings, and extremely LATE CALL UPS is one of their most common tricks to make sure an opponent is way below their best.
That said, Jino Rodrigo has stayed in shape since a very recent knockout performance in March, and he's more than grateful to get the fight with hot prospect Ruslan Abdullaev.
So here's how they line up :
Fight Night Alert: Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Jino Rodrigo – This Saturday on DAZN
All eyes turn to Oceanside, California this Saturday, April 19, as world number one amateur-turned-pro Ruslan Abdullaev steps into the ring for his second professional bout at Frontwave Arena — broadcast live worldwide on DAZN from 5 PM PT.
The 2024 Uzbekistan Olympian made waves in his pro debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, delivering a clinical second-round knockout against Jose Alvarado. Abdullaev’s speed, precision, and composure were on full display, making it clear: the amateur king is now hunting crowns in the pro ranks.
But standing in his way is Jino Rodrigo, a dangerous late replacement from the Philippines who’s far from just filling a slot.
Rodrigo has quietly built a reputation as a fight-finisher — winning 4 of his last 5 by stoppage.
His only recent loss came against red-hot contender Elvis Rodriguez, and even then, Rodrigo dropped Rodriguez early and had him reeling before losing a close decision.
He’s been staying sharp, and with nothing to lose, he’s coming to shock the boxing world.
The stage is set:
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 5 PM PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
Live Stream: DAZN (Worldwide)
Joey Canoy meets Sam Minh Phat !!
JOEY CANOY (The Babyface)
Record: 23 Wins – 5 Losses – 2 Draws
Knockouts: 14 KOs (60.87% KO rate)
Ranking: #13 in the world / #4 in the Philippines
Career: 2012 – 2024
Age: 31
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: General Santos City, Philippines
Total Bouts: 32 (189 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2024-12-27: Def. Ariston Aton (W-UD 8/8)
2024-08-30: Def. Jonathan Refugio (W-RTD 5/12)
2024-07-11: Def. Pablito Balidio (W-KO 1/8)
2023-07-12: Def. Clyde Azarcon (W-TKO 4/8)
2022-12-04: Def. Kenichi Horikawa (W-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Canoy is an experienced and battle-tested fighter, with over a decade in the sport and nearly 200 rounds under his belt. He has faced tougher opposition, including veterans like Kenichi Horikawa, and is riding a strong win streak. His southpaw stance adds a tactical dimension, often challenging for orthodox opponents. He blends power with durability, having only been stopped twice in 32 fights.
SAM MINH PHAT (Leopard Kim)
Record: 10 Wins – 5 Losses – 0 Draws
Knockouts: 8 KOs (80% KO rate)
Ranking: #67 in the world / #1 in Vietnam
Career: 2017 – 2025
Age: 30
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Total Bouts: 15 (67 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2025-02-20: Def. Ne Lin Aung (W-TKO 2/6)
2023-07-15: Lost to DianXing Zhu (L-RTD 9/10)
2022-07-30: Def. Heri Purnomo (W-TKO 2/8)
2022-04-23: Def. Le Dieu Phuoc (W-TKO 5/6)
2021-10-23: Lost to ArAr Andales (L-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Sam Minh Phat is an explosive, aggressive puncher with a high KO ratio. Despite only 15 professional bouts, his fights tend to end early, showing that he thrives on fast starts and power shots. However, his losses to more seasoned opponents (like ArAr Andales) expose vulnerabilities in stamina and ring IQ against experienced fighters. He’s a rising star in Vietnam but hasn’t yet proven himself consistently at the international level.
Head-to-Head Outlook:
Joey Canoy holds the edge in experience, durability, and fight craft. While Sam Minh Phat boasts impressive KO power, he’s largely untested against world-ranked opposition, with the exception of Chinese #1 Zhu DianXing.
Canoy’s southpaw stance and savvy approach would likely neutralize Phat’s early pressure, wearing him down in later rounds. If the fight goes deep, Canoy becomes the clear favorite. If Phat can land big early, he is a huge chance to pull the win. If not, he’ll struggle to keep up with Canoy’s pace and discipline.
Great and intriguing fight !!
