Crystal Palace light-heavyweight Craig Richards lands WBO world title shot

Crystal Palace light-heavyweight Craig Richards will challenge for the WBO world title on Matchroom Boxing’s May 1 show.

It is a huge step up in class for the South Londoner, who won the British title in December with a classy stoppage victory over Shakan Pitters.

Russia’s Bivol has made five defences of his belt and has 11 KOs on a 17-0 ledger but has been inactive since October 2019.

Richards is ranked eighth by the WBA and his sole career loss came against former world title challenger Frank Buglioni in October 2017.

Bivol said: “I have been out of the ring for a year and a half and I have sorely missed boxing.

“I can’t wait to step through the ropes for my next fight on May 1. I have always wanted to fight in the UK and I’m happy to tick that box. Craig Richards is a fast and technical boxer and I’m expecting a great fight as I make another defence of my world title.”

Richard said: “I feel good and I feel very confident. I know that he’s renowned as one of the best fighters out there, but I just believe that I’ve got the tools to beat him and I’m very confident in my abilities. I know I’ve got power as well, and I’ve got a very good chin. We’ve been planning for everything and anything.

“We know he’s been operating at world level for a long time and can bring different things to the table. I raise the level of my performance against my better opponents. The bigger the fight, the better I perform. A fight like Bivol will allow me to go through my gears to show what I’m really about.”

PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD