Chev Clarke riled up the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by walking out to Arsenal’s anthem ‘North London Forever’.
The British cruiserweight champion, donning the red and white of his childhood club, was greeted by a cacophony of boos as he was announced to the ring in enemy territory.
His gesture might not have gone down well with the local fans, but talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall appreciated the gamesmanship.
“I thought I’d let that play out,” said Catterall on the commentary desk.
“The football fans among you will know exactly what he has done.
“He’s an Arsenal fan; he’s on away territory tonight fighting inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so he was playing the Arsenal anthem of ‘North London Forever’.
“If you are an Arsenal fan, you will be fully aware of it as it rings out pre-Arsenal game every time they are playing at home.”
Riley, an avid Spurs fan, wearing the lily white and blue of Tottenham, was given a much warmer reception as he stuck and moved his way to victory.
In the end, the scorecards read 116-112, 117-111, and 115-113 in Riley’s favour as he got his hand raised and had the Lonsdale belt put around his waist to a rapturous cheer.
It was a proud moment for Riley, who sank to his knees as ‘Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur’ rang around the stadium.
Before the fight, Riley had acknowledged the importance of getting one over on his North London counterpart during an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com.
“That’s just some nice extra seasoning on the event,” he said.
“He’s coming to the Tottenham stadium as an Arsenal fan, as the champion.
“But on this occasion, Spurs will win. This was always on my bucket list to fight here.”
He also vowed to steal the show from main eventers Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, although he wasn’t able to get a statement-making knockout.
“We definitely have the potential to steal the show,” he added.
“Two fighters itching to win. Chev is coming into it off of a defeat.
“He will not want to feel two losses in a row.
Eubank Jr v Benn Live on talkSPORT
More than 30 years after their dads fought each other, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn finally meet in the ring.
The fight will be LIVE on talkSPORT on Saturday 26 April from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Steve Collins, who beat both Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, is part of talkSPORT’s team and will join Adam Catterall, Gareth A Davies, Spencer Oliver and John Rawling for commentary on fight night.
You can also catch the action on talkBOXING’s YouTube Watchalong.
“I’ve never lost and I don’t want to feel it. He’s also a champion and wants to keep his belt.
“There’s a lot at stake, and the fight will finally kill the suspense and I will show I’m the better fighter.”
