Craig Richards produced a dramatic final-round knockout to stop Dan Azeez and claim the vacant IBF International light heavyweight title at Legon Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana. The all-South London clash headlined Matchroom Boxing’s first event in Africa and delivered a tense, closely contested fight that exploded into a definitive finish with just 23 seconds gone in the 12th round.
High-stakes main event in Ghana
The bout matched two familiar rivals, both from South London and former sparring partners, now facing each other with a belt and crucial career momentum on the line. For Richards, it was a chance to reinsert himself into the conversation at 175 pounds after previous setbacks at elite level. For Azeez, it was an opportunity to re-establish his rise after a series of hard fights had pushed him toward the fringes of contention.
Set against the backdrop of Matchroom’s historic African show, the fight carried additional symbolic weight. Accra’s Legon Sports Stadium provided a vibrant stage, with the main event representing both a personal crossroads for the fighters and a statement night for the promotion on a new continent.
In the early rounds, Richards boxed with patience and control, choosing to work at range. He used his reach advantage, long jab and single, well-placed shots to manage distance and keep Azeez from settling into his preferred inside rhythm. His guard stayed high, his feet steady, and his approach methodical rather than flashy.
Azeez, by contrast, pressed forward behind head movement and pressure, trying to close the gap and force exchanges on the inside. His goal was to drag Richards into a more physical, high-contact fight, where work rate and grit could offset the challenger’s reach and timing. These contrasting styles created a tactical duel rather than an early brawl.
Through the middle frames, the bout remained competitive and difficult to score cleanly. Both fighters had spells of success, with Azeez finding moments on the front foot and Richards gradually reading his entries and countering more effectively. The rounds were close enough that observers differed on who led on points heading toward the championship stretch.
As the fight progressed, Richards began to create clearer separation. His jab became more consistent, his counters sharper, and his head movement more pronounced as he slipped and answered Azeez’s forward surges. The south London pair continued trading, but Richards increasingly dictated the terms of engagement, even if the scorecards were still viewed as close.
Final round: one punch changes everything
The decisive sequence came almost immediately in the 12th round. Early in an exchange, Richards landed a right hand that briefly shook Azeez. The defending fighter tried to fire back with a left hook of his own, but Richards met him in the pocket with a perfectly timed left hook to the jaw.
The shot dislodged Azeez’s mouthpiece and sent him crashing to the canvas flat on his back, a clear, emphatic knockdown. Recognizing the severity of the impact and Azeez’s condition, referee Michael Alexander chose not to issue a count and instead waved off the fight at 0:23 of the round. The contest ended instantly, turning a close, hard-fought twelve-rounder into a highlight-reel finish.
With the stoppage, Richards improved his professional record to 20–4–1 with 13 knockouts and added the IBF International light heavyweight title to his résumé. The nature of the victory—a clean one-punch knockout in the final round of a tight fight—strengthens his case for bigger opportunities at 175 pounds.
Beyond the belt, the performance showed composure, conditioning and late-round power. Richards remained disciplined, trusted his boxing, and found a way to solve a familiar, physically strong opponent under pressure. It positions him as a seasoned contender who can headline cards, feature prominently in future boxing news cycles and attract attention from fans and any Youtube Channel focused on the light heavyweight scene.
For Azeez, the loss is a painful setback at age 36. He made it all the way to the final round without being knocked down, only to be separated from his senses by a single, well-placed shot. Up to that point, he had been fully competitive and, in some eyes, still in with a chance of edging the cards if he could finish strong.
The knockout changes the complexion of his trajectory. While his toughness and willingness to press remain unquestioned, the defeat raises questions about how many more grueling 12-round campaigns he can endure at this stage of his career. Matchmakers, managers and Azeez himself will now have to decide whether to pursue rebuilding fights, domestic clashes, or a more selective schedule going forward.
Historic night for Matchroom in Africa
The Richards–Azeez bout also served as a symbolic centerpiece for Matchroom Boxing’s first show in Africa. Staging a competitive, high-quality main event in Accra signaled a commitment to expanding into new markets and tapping into the passion of African fight fans.
The dramatic nature of the finish—an emphatic 12th-round knockout in a close contest—provided exactly the kind of memorable moment promoters hope for when entering a new territory. It offered a strong foundation for future events in Ghana and across the continent, where local fighters and visiting names can share major stages in front of growing audiences.
