Unbeaten light heavyweight contender Albert Ramirez will continue his push toward full world title status when he faces England’s Lerrone Richards on February 5 at the Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada. Eye of the Tiger Management confirmed the bout as the main event of its first card of 2026, featuring a matchup of experienced southpaws.
Ramirez (22-0, 19 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBA interim light heavyweight title. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has been highly active, with this fight marking his fourth bout in a 52-week span. He last fought on August 8, scoring a knockout win over Jerome Pampellone in Libya, a victory that secured him the interim belt. Montreal has become a familiar setting for Ramirez, who will be boxing there for the fourth time in his last six outings.
Watch Ramirez vs. Flannery highlights.
The interim title places Ramirez directly in line behind undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol, who currently holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles and is expected to return early in the new year. With Bivol at the top of the division, Ramirez’s February defense represents a key step in maintaining momentum and positioning himself for a potential upgrade.
Richards enters the bout with a record of 19-1, 4 KOs, and is seeking to revive his career after an uneven stretch. The London-based veteran has fought just once since suffering an upset knockout loss to Steed Woodall in June 2024, returning with a six-round decision win over Dylan Courtney last September. Earlier in his career, Richards claimed notable victories over Carlos Gongora, Lennox Clarke and former secondary titlist Giovanni De Carolis, but prolonged inactivity stalled his rise.
Fight card:
▪️Albert Ramirez vs. Lerrone Richards, 12 rounds, light heavyweight
▪️Thomas Chabot vs. Dominic Babineau, 10 rounds, featherweight
