Why? Fights like that are completely standard. Should the boards and opponents family be setting up every time a British prospect is put in a similar match up?
Richards will be 31 years old in April. There is no guarantee that he will ever get a world title shot, especially not in his prime years. He should be jumping at the chance.
I quite like the fight and although i give Richards little chance off pulling of an upset , i hope he gives a good account of himself and earns a good pay day out of it I have seen plenty of worse match ups over the years
Richards has a better chance than Howard Clarke or Jason Welborn did in their World Title shots and will probably be better paid. Good luck to the lad.
A boxer, coming off a big win, fighting for a world title. Why else be in the sport? Hardly negligence. An underdog (big time): yes. But he will be well paid and has the chance to change his life. Should his family etc say: "no sit around and see what happens". With covid and the nature of this sport boxers need to grab their chances and make $$$ when they can. Good luck to him
He is number 8 in the WBA rankings it is just about justifiable from the WBA's point of view. As others have said he might not get offered that money again anytime soon. Slightly off topic but just noticed Alen Babic is number 7 in the WBC 'bridger' rankings lmfao.
You beat me to it. Although this is another horrendous match up with the British fighter on the wrong end of it. Bivol is not a big puncher and if Richards is taking a pasting his corner should be pulling him out, as a prolonged beating is the biggest concern.
You can see from both sides why they would take this fight. Richards has probably never had a significant payday in boxing as a reward for all his graft throughout. So he'll hopefully get some dosh. Bivol gets to blow a few cobwebs off, get his timing and accuracy back on point. Try a few things out and perhaps get a showreel KO. It isn't remotely competitive though. Huge amount of levels.
Just to add, in terms of a fighters health, there are mismatches on many cards. Hearn and Warren are always doing it. We saw it with Dalton Smith at the weekend against Ellis. Richards will be fine if the officials and corner do their jobs.
Just another mismatch to add to the long list - he will be OK if he does not have Warrington's Corner or Howard Foster in Warrington Fight mode. The money will be worth the fall.
You make it sound like Richards has no chance in the fight. He's the current British champion, a top twenty light-heavyweight, and is coming off his greatest career victory over Shakan Pitters. Bivol hasn't had a contest since October '19 - now is the best time and probably the only opportunity 'the Spider' will get for a while. Go for it, I say.
Comparing Pitters and Bivol is like comparing Sonia from Eastenders with Holly Willoughby in the looks department.