Craig Richards doesn’t mind being branded the underdog again.
The former world champion is valued at 4/1 (with BetFred) ahead of his domestic light-heavy clash with odds on 2/11 favorite Joshua Buatsi this weekend.
Their promoter Eddie Hearn insists the fight is much closer, but Richards (17-2-1.10 KOs) says he’s used to being wiped out and is happy to prove people wrong once again.
“I have been the underdog many times and it has never bothered me; It doesn’t change the outcome for me – you still have to do the work there,” Richards said in a Matchroom press release.
Richards Reliable Performance against Dmitry Bivol 12 months ago saw its shares rise following the WBA champion’s recent win over Canelo Alvarez.
Richards said: “If you see the performance, I’d go against Bivol against the Canelo performance.
“If I had started a little faster, I could have won the game and I would have solved the problem for him. I’ve had to go through negative comments, people pushing this agenda saying ‘Bivol had an evening’. Every time I hit someone, they have a night off. Why can’t I be good, and I’m making these fighters not look as good as people say because of my skill? ”
Despite the frustrations that seem obvious to some members of the boxing community, Craig Richards said the past would soon be forgotten had he not competed against Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs).
“Saturday is important – getting credit now or then it doesn’t really change anything. If I don’t go and perform, everything I’ve done will die and be buried. I’ve faced a lot of negativity around my performance and career, I think Bivol’s performance and then his win over Canelo will raise attention and people will see. that I gave him a harder fight and that might change people’s opinion of May 21.”
