I’m probably in the minority, but I think Bivol is overrated. Especially his power, I remember hearing talk that he was this unbelievable puncher, but i haven’t seen it. Yes, Richards is probably still out of his depth, but Bivol has also been inactive. I think it’s worth a chance for him to have a go and get the money. If it gets on top, his trainer should just be ready to jump in.
Very ambitious match particularly as , even though he might be British champ,I don’t consider to be even in the top 4 in Uk !
I get what you’re saying mate but this is probably a career high pay day in an unpredictable sport with a limited shelf life.
It's a risk, but, as long as Richards comes out unscathed in a good showing it may be good for his stock. I suspect it will be a decent payday too. Can't blame him for taking an opportunity, better than sitting on his ass waiting for domestic fights for **** all £££.
At his age he knows that this kind of opportunity may never come around again in the division he is in, he'd be mad not to go for it in my opinion.
You see some terrible, ridiculous mismatches in boxing, this isn't one of them IMO. I'm not saying they're evenly matched either, but it's not as bad as "negligence". It's a standard, very winnable voluntary defence for Bivol, very common in boxing. Good luck to Richards, massive opportunity, I hope he wins, he probably won't, but hope he gives a good account of himself at least.
Everyone rates Joe Smith Jr but Bivol made Smith Jr look like a C-Class fighter. Richards ia tough man but Bivol will win every round and win on points. Great opportunity for him though. Maybe Bivol is fighting Richards so more UK fans know of him when he potentially fights Buatsi afterwards who is rumoured to be fighting Barrea / Capallero next?
Bivol is a top level boxer and a bout between him and Beterbiev is truly mouth-watering, even if its unlikely to happen. I think a few people in here are getting mixed up with Hearn putting the bout and Richards accepting the bout. No one can blame Richards for taking it - it’s a life changing opportunity and given his record, ability and age it’s very unlikely he’ll get another opportunity like this either for this money or prestige of a title. However it’s a poor poor bout for Hearn to put on. I don’t think it’s one where we should worry for Richard’s health - the likelihood is he’ll either run and lose wide or get stopped early, I can’t see anyway he wins it. But the difference in standard is very wide - Richards is likely not in the top 50 in the world at this weight whereas Bivol is top 3 as it stands. I can’t see it being competitive in the slightest.
Interesting and slightly odd match up. Bivol will probably stop him but saying that this is not a mismatch really and I definitely would not say negligence. Craig is no mug- can box, and can punch a bit too he's a good solid fighter who will hold his own as long as he can, as mentioned already he's 30 without any big profile or fanbase. He'd be crazy to not take this fight. What other options are there out there for him? Fight a journeyman to keep busy, then take a big domestic fight e.g. Buatsi or Johnson, get stopped and he's got nowhere to go and a long road back. This is likely his one and only chance to fight for a world title. Bivol is very good but nothing special as far as world champions go, he's not the most dangerous fighter in the world, and I tend to think is a bit overrated. I'm sure Buatsi and Johnson would fancy their chances against him...
