Craig “Spider” Richards, the acclaimed light-heavyweight contender, is fervently pushing for his next significant contest in the boxing arena. After an impressive win in March, Richards has rejoined the Matchroom Gym, resuming his collaboration with esteemed trainer Tony Sims. Despite his enthusiasm and readiness, the fighter expresses growing frustration over the inactivity while many of his divisional peers are securing upcoming fights. With his sights firmly set on world titles, Richards is resolute in demonstrating his peak performance to the public, building on his previous successes.
Resurgent Boxer Craig Richards Eyes World Titles After Returning to Matchroom Gym
In a dynamic development within the boxing world, Craig “Spider” Richards, the formidable light-heavyweight contender with a professional record of 19 victories, 4 losses, and 1 draw, is passionately anticipating the official announcement of his next major bout. Following his commanding eighth-round stoppage of Padraig McCrory in March at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Richards, at 35 years old, has made a significant return to the esteemed Matchroom Gym, where he is once again under the tutelage of veteran trainer Tony Sims. This reunion marks a pivotal moment, as Richards previously spent time training with Shane McGuigan before his recent return to familiar ground.
Speaking with BoxingScene, Richards conveyed his eagerness: “I've heard I'll have a big fight next; I just want it as soon as possible. I’m in the gym, ready to go. I need to get out there swiftly; I’ve only fought once this year, and that was in March, nearly five or six months ago now.” He emphasized the profound sense of belonging at the Matchroom Gym, stating, “It definitely feels like home. The moment I returned, it was as if I never left. Everything felt familiar and comfortable. My boxing flow returned, and being surrounded by the team, it feels like family here.”
Despite his positive return, Richards admits to significant frustration. While he remains in a state of readiness, many of his direct rivals in the light-heavyweight division have confirmed their fight dates. Joshua Buatsi is set to face Zach Parker, Willy Hutchinson will go against Mark Jeffers, Artur Beterbiev is matched with Deon Nicholson, and Anthony Yarde is slated to compete against David Benavidez. Richards lamented, “It’s very frustrating. I’m on the sidelines watching everyone else secure their dates. I'm constantly putting my name forward, I want all the challenging opponents, and I feel I’m currently at my absolute best. There's no point in being at my best only in the gym; I want to display this to the public.”
Richards is determined to leverage his recent victory over McCrory as a springboard. “I’ve come back to the Matchroom gym, had one fight, and am performing well – though I know I haven't reached my peak yet. I secured a good stoppage, and now I want to build on that and demonstrate how exceptional I can be. I aim to immediately re-enter the top tier; world titles are my ultimate goal, my aspiration. That's why I entered this sport. I’ve achieved all the domestic titles – Southern Area, British, WBA Continental, International. Now, it’s about the true objective. I'm in the gym every day, learning, training diligently, and preparing to challenge the elite fighters.”
The landscape of boxing promotions, particularly the evolving relationship between Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom, offers new possibilities. Richards noted, “I’ve observed many fighters moving to that side of the street. However, I believe [Frank] Warren and Eddie [Hearn] currently share a strong relationship, so I don't foresee any of these potential matchups being impossible to materialize, given their collaborative efforts. They can now co-promote events or feature fighters on each other's cards, especially with the overarching DAZN platform. The main obstacle used to be television networks and their exclusive rights, but now that they share a common network, collaboration is much smoother.”
Richards' ultimate ambition is a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. In their 2022 encounter, Bivol secured a decision victory with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112. Since then, Bivol has solidified his status as one of boxing's premier fighters, unifying all 175-pound titles and notably defeating Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Richards reflected on their previous fight: “I would absolutely love a rematch with Bivol. I genuinely feel stylistically it was a fight I could have won. I was less experienced at the time and started somewhat slowly, ultimately falling short by only a round or half a round. He’s an exceptional fighter. I’ve competed with these caliber athletes, and behind the scenes, I’ve sparred countless rounds with Beterbiev during his training camps for Bivol. I simply know that at this point, I’m ready to fight. It’s not about any specific opponent, but rather being prepared to challenge the very best.”
Richards also offered his insights on other upcoming bouts. He predicts a strong performance from Buatsi against Parker, potentially ending in a stoppage. He is also keenly anticipating the November 22 clash between Benavidez and Yarde, expecting an explosive encounter. “It’s a very significant fight,” Richards commented. “It’s a huge step up for Yarde. Benavidez is a force at this weight; he’s tall and overwhelms opponents with his work rate. Some might point to his last two light-heavyweight performances where he didn't secure stoppages, but considering the quality of his opponents, [David] Morrell and [Oleksandr] Gvozdyk – Gvozdyk gave Beterbiev his toughest fight and put Adonis Stevenson in a coma to win his WBC title – we know these are no easy foes, and Benavidez handled them. So, Benavidez is no joke, and it represents a massive challenge for Yarde.”
These are precisely the types of high-stakes matchups that Richards craves. He concluded with a smile, “I’m itching to go, literally clucking with anticipation. It’s incredibly difficult for me right now. I just want to get my hands on someone and step into the ring.”
From the perspective of an avid boxing enthusiast, Craig Richards’ current predicament and palpable eagerness are both understandable and deeply relatable. It's a common frustration in individual sports when an athlete is at peak physical and mental readiness but finds themselves sidelined, watching rivals secure opportunities. Richards’ return to the familiar embrace of the Matchroom Gym and Tony Sims suggests a renewed focus and comfort, essential elements for a fighter who has tasted the highest levels of competition. His candid admission of frustration, juxtaposed with his unwavering ambition for world titles, paints a picture of a dedicated professional hungry for action. The evolving promotional landscape, with greater collaboration between Queensberry and Matchroom, offers a glimmer of hope that Richards' desire for significant fights, especially a coveted rematch with Bivol, might soon become a reality. This narrative underscores the relentless grind and mental fortitude required in boxing, where waiting can sometimes be as challenging as fighting itself. It's a reminder that even seasoned fighters constantly seek validation and the chance to prove their evolving capabilities on the grandest stages.