Richards believes Kalajdzic win can trigger late career charge
Craig Richards believes that a win over Radivoje Kalajdzic can be the catalyst for a late-career charge into light heavyweight title contention.
Their 175-pound contest over 10 rounds will take place at London's Copperbox Arena on September 26 as the Zuffa Boxing 11 chief support attraction. The event will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
In February, Kalajdzic (30-3, 22 KOs) made a thrilling promotional debut when dragging himself up off the canvas twice to score a seventh-round stoppage of former WBC beltholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Now Richards gets the opportunity to make a big impression with his new promoters.
The attractive fight came out of the blue but Richards (20-4-1, 13 KOs) told Sky Sports' Toe2Toe podcast that a clash with the hard hitting 35-year-old contender was actually first discussed almost four years ago.
“When I had a two-year layoff with an injury, I actually got asked for him to be my comeback fight,” Richards said.
“In the end they got someone else in but I didn't think he was just a comeback tick-over fight anyway. I think the fight's now getting the credit it deserves, he's a good name and been in with everyone. I feel the same, so we're in for a fun fight.”
Richards has enjoyed a solid career but never quite been able to take the final step and really break through into the big time.
In May 2021 he boxed well and came within a round or two of upsetting an under-par Dmitry Bivol but eventually lost a unanimous decision for the Russian's WBA crown.
The following May he was matched with south London rival Joshua Buatsi. After a slow start, he built momentum as the fight went on and lost a hard-fought, high quality world title eliminator by a close unanimous decision.
In June 2024, a disappointing points defeat to Willy Hutchinson on the high-profile Queensberry vs. Matchroom "5 vs. 5" card looked like it might spell the end of his time at the top table but, to Richards’ credit, he picked himself up, dusted himself down and notched up a pair of career-saving stoppages over Padraig McCrory and Dan Azeez.
He now gets an opportunity to score the biggest win of his career. Now 36, Richards is sure that provided he beats Kalajdzic, there's still time to achieve his goals.
“Well, it's funny because people mention, 'He's 36 now' but you look at the light heavyweight division and Callum Smith is older than me. Bivol is older than me. Beterbiev and Gvozdyk are way older than me,” Richards said.
“All the guys at the top of my division are years older than me so, we talk about that, but when you look at the competition around me, if they're not older than me they're my age or a year below me.”
Announced: Johnny Fisher will face Michael Pirotton in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 11 on September 26th at the Copper Box Arena in London.Announced: Johnny Fisher will face Michael Pirotton in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 11 on September 26th at the Copper Box Arena in London.
