The evergreen Masternak lost widely on points over 12 rounds and Riley, The Ring's No. 7, was the new European champion. With his lofty positions in the IBF rankings cemented, a world title shot seemed imminent.

But with a legal battle between the IBF and their former 200-pound champion Jai Opetaia still raging on, Riley had a choice to make. As his promoter Kalle Sauerland simply put it: “You can sit tight … or you can fight.”

For Riley (14-0, 7 KOs), who has struggled for regular activity at times throughout his eight-year career, there was only one option. Stay busy, take care of his European mandatory challenger and ensure he does not head into any world title opportunities carrying ring rust. So it was decided that he would take on Seydi Coupe in the main event of this latest MF Pro card in London.

Of course boxing history is littered with upsets in fights like these, when unheralded opponents rock up with zero expectation only to completely ruin all the plans in place. The next man hoping to do the same is Frenchman Coupe, the EBU’s No. 1 contender, who, like Riley, is 29 years old and 14-0.

All of his professional fights so far have taken place in either France or Belgium and he is yet to mix with anybody of Riley’s caliber. There are very few outside of his hometown of Mons-en-Barouel giving him much of a chance of victory but he has prepared for this fight by sparring light heavyweight king Dmitry Bivol. He is a huge underdog, but stranger things have happened.

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Viddal Riley : “I'm the European champion, I have a mandatory challenger to remain European champion and we're going to tackle it, man, and stay in the ring. I don’t see this as a stay-busy fight. It’s a genuine defense of my title.”

Seydi Coupe: “He’s definitely a good fighter but for me, not the best one. I can’t promise a knockout but I can promise to bring a big fight for this.”

The IBF No. 2 Riley is a staggering favorite for victory. He has broadly been priced as wide as 20/1 on (-2000), with a best price of 14/1 on (-1400) available in some places. That means those who fancy a flutter on undefeated visitor Coupe can get odds of 9/1 (+900). One sportsbook is offering a huge 20/1 (+2000) on Coupe to claim a decision victory in London.

The main event is just one of three 12-round fights at Wembley Arena. At junior welterweight, undefeated pair Yaser Al Ghena (16-0, 3 KOs) and Ben Marksby (14-0, 3 KOs) clash for the vacant Commonwealth title. With just six stoppages from their combined 30 outings, that looks like a distance fight. Then, at lightweight, the always entertaining Gavin Gwynne (19-4-2, 5 KOs) faces Zelfa Barrett (35-3, 18 KOs).