Craig Richards may have earned himself one more shot at relevance in the light heavyweight division after producing a dramatic 12th-round knockout of fellow Londoner Dan Azeez on Saturday night in Accra, Ghana. Fighting at Legon Sports Stadium, Richards broke down a durable opponent before ending the contest at 2:36 of the final round.
The bout was tense and competitive through much of its duration, with neither fighter able to establish clear control early. Richards gradually began to separate himself in the middle rounds by relying on a long jab, sharp counterpunching, and subtle head movement. Azeez struggled to consistently close the distance, finding fewer openings as the fight wore on.
Watch the official fight highlights here.
By the late rounds, the physical toll on Azeez became evident. His output slowed and his breathing grew heavier, while Richards took command in the 10th round with a series of clean, telling shots. Although Azeez showed flashes of resistance, it was clear Richards was gaining momentum as the fight approached its conclusion.
The decisive moment came in the 12th. Azeez, still searching for a fight-changing punch, walked into a right hand that staggered him. After both men exchanged again, Richards beat him to the punch with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin, sending Azeez crashing to the canvas and his mouthpiece flying.
At 35, Richards secured his second consecutive win for the first time since 2019, following recent defeats to Dmitry Bivol, Joshua Buatsi, and Willy Hutchinson. Now this victory, which followed a knockout of Padraig McCrory earlier this year, could open the door to one final opportunity against a top contender.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing